Cupping
Cupping uses warm glass cups on the skin of the back and shoulders. The cups are left on for a few minutes, and the gentle pull is something many people find relaxing.
A cupping visit, in order
Who usually comes for it
People with a tight upper back, shoulders or neck, often after long hours at a desk or a car. Acupuncture is one option, and results vary.
What a visit is like
We talk about where you feel tight
We place warm glass cups on your back or shoulders
They stay on for about 5 to 10 minutes while you rest
We lift them off and check your skin
What you may feel afterward
Cups can leave faint round marks that fade in a few days. You may feel tender or a little tired, and the area can be sensitive to heat or cold for a day.
Tell us first
Please tell us before any treatment if:
You take a blood thinner or have a bleeding disorder
You have a skin condition, a sunburn or a healing wound in the area
You are pregnant or might be
You are worried about the marks, which can show above a neckline
How many visits people plan for
Most people try it once or twice and decide whether to continue. It is often added to an acupuncture visit.
What it doesn't do, and when to see a doctor
Cupping doesn't replace care for a back that hurts after an injury. See a doctor first for chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness or numbness, a high fever, a new lump, or pain after a fall or an accident. For an emergency, call 911. Acupuncture works alongside your doctor's care and never replaces it.
Curious about cupping?
How fees work has its own page, and we put the fee for your visit in writing before we begin.