Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is designed to stimulate the flow of blood and Qi (vital energy) within the superficial muscle layers. It produces a feeling of relaxation and invigoration, and is used to treat sore muscles, tension, neck pain, the common cold and has many other wonderful therapeutic effects. In a cupping treatment, small bulb-like glasses (cups) are placed over specified areas of your body. A vacuum is created under the cup using heat or suction. The cups may be moved over the affected area or left in place. Slight redness is occasionally experienced, but it usually dissipates quickly. Most patients report that cupping feels like a "reverse massage", and they look forward to it as a part of their regular visits.

In traditional Chinese Medicine, cupping is used to dispel stagnant blood and lymph, thereby improving Qi (energy) flow to treat pain and respiratory diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia and bronchitis. Cupping also is used on back, neck, shoulder and other musculoskeletal conditions. Most people return to normal activity instantly; we will inform you if any precautions need to be taken.

Cupping Therapy is not performed on infants, the frail (and very elderly), metastatic disease, fractures, on tendon insertions, active psoriasis. Cautions need to be taken when practicing on patients on blood thinning medications, patients with bleeding disorders (e.g. haemophilia) or pregnant patients.