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What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping is a therapy used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousand of years to remove stagnation and stimulate the flow of qi (chi). Qi is the free flow of vital energy circulating through the body and the world around us, if the qi is disrupted or disturbed, it can create stagnation (blockages) or imbalances in the body. Cupping is designed to help the body increase the flow of energy and reduce inflammation and to help ease pain.

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How does Cupping work?

A therapeutic cupping treatment involves placing cups, usually made of glass or silicon, on the skin (number of cups vary depending on the area involved). By creating a vacuum that pulls the skin into the suction that decompresses muscles, loosens the fascia or connective tissue that promotes and increases blood flow to the compromised area.  It enhances circulation and helps to increase the body’s own healing processes and reduces pain.  

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Two popular types of cupping are stationary and sliding. Stationary cupping uses suction only, keeping the cups in place for a set time, usually 5 to 10 minutes and then remove the cups. Sliding cupping is where the practitioner moves the cups (usually 1-2 cups) over the area of pain or concern for 5-20 minutes. The cups are often placed on the back, neck, and shoulders or the site of pain.

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What to do after a Cupping Session:

It is important to take care of yourself after a treatment and the client should do the following:

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  1. Drink a lot of water because water helps flush your lymphatic system of the cellular waste that cupping helps release from your tissues.

  2. Stay warm. Try to cover the area(s) where you received cupping.

  3. Eat wholesome foods

  4. Avoid swimming or showering within 4 to 6 hours of a cupping session because the session opens the pores of your skin and  you may be more sensitive to temperature.

  5. Rest

Benefits of Cupping:

  1. Cupping increases circulation-The suction from the cups increases circulation to the area where the cups are placed. The additional blood flow to that area can help relieve muscle tension and promote cell repair. Increasing circulation with cupping also helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

   2. Cupping encourages tissues to release toxins.  Yes, you do have organs that remove toxins from your blood. But the modern lifestyle overloads your body with toxins. Cupping gives your body a boost in releasing those toxins. Focused blood flow helps your body by flushing built-up toxins through the lymphatic system. (Your lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating your body’s toxins and waste.)

   3. Cupping reduces anxiety and stress-When your practitioner glides the cups across your skin, your parasympathetic nervous system engages. This promotes deep relaxation to move through your entire body. Your parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for slowing your heart rate, assisting in digestion, and increasing intestinal and gland activity.)

   4. Cupping can aid in digestion- Cupping helps to engage the parasympathetic nervous system, which increases blood flow to the digestive tract. Gentle cupping over the abdomen also stimulates the insides of your digestive organs. It aids in peristalsis (contractions that push food through your digestive tract), it aids and encourages blood and body-fluid to move through your organs, and helps relieve indigestion.

   5. Can aid in many more areas as well.

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 Side Effects from Cupping:

Cupping may cause temporary bruising, redness, soreness or fatigued, depending upon the degree of suction created by the vacuum and the level of internal stagnation.  This is normal because it's your body processing and expelling the toxins that were released during your cupping session.

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 Who should not use Cupping Therapy?

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 Serenity Wellness is a recognized practitioner of the Complementary Therapists Accredited Association.  CTAA Membership Number- 10664817.

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