What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine dating all the way back to 1550 B.C. Silicone or glass cups are placed onto the body, creating suction and help aid the therapist in loosening trouble areas within the muscles and giving an overall sense of well being to the client.

What are the benefits of cupping?

Some benefits of cupping include:

• Quickly decreases muscle tension
• Deeply relaxing
• Decreases muscle pain
• Supports muscle health, facilitates muscle recovery and healing
• Decreases swelling
• Improves skin tone and appearance
• Stimulates the immune system

Before Your Service

Before a cupping session a client should NOT receive any other spa or bodywork treatment or use tanning booths within 48 hours of appointment. They should also avoid taking aspirin or NSAIDs the day of their session and preferably a few days before. Clients should maintain a healthy level of hydration before a cupping session.

Disclaimer: Cupping marks, which most commonly appear as circular bruises, are very common and can last up to two weeks. We do not recommend this service if there is any concern of cupping marks. Please speak with your physician for any concerns about contraindications before receiving this service.

After Your Service

Clients should still maintain healthy hydration, avoid strenuous activities, and avoid extreme heat or sweating for several hours after cupping to avoid excess fluid buildup in the tissue that can cause swelling, acne, and rashes. Vasodilation (the dilatation of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure) will last for several hours post massage.

Clients should notice benefits from one cupping session within a few hours of receiving if not right after the service. They should wait until the cupping marks (circular bruises) disappear before getting another session and make a plan with their therapist on if a series is the right option for them.

Who should not get Cupping Therapy?

You should not receive this service if you:

• Are taking any antibiotics or steroid medications
• Are taking medications that can increase bruising such as aspirin, antidepressants, and blood thinners
• Have kidney disease, liver disease, cardiovascular disease.
• Have a history of blood clots
• Are pregnant or up to 3 months postpartum
• Have uncontrolled asthma
• Are undergoing cancer treatment
• Have any infection (fever, cold, flu)
• Are clinically dehydrated