FAQS

Cupping is an ancient form of therapy that has a trained individual place cups on the skin at strategically selected locations to create a negative pressure through suction. The suction on the skin helps with body pain, inflammation, blood flow, immune system boosting, and relaxation, among other things. 

Dating as far back as 1550 BC when it was first used in Egypt, there was evidence of cupping in various cultures for a variety of purposes. It is now a technique becoming more popular in modern medical practices to help direct the circulation of blood to specific areas to increase oxygenation and promote healing and wellness maintenance. 

Everyone has a different tolerance to “pain”. Majority of clients find cupping therapy not painful. It is common to feel a pull on the region of the body where the cups are applied. Also, it is common to feel a throbbing and dull aching sensation. The cup’s suction can be applied in 3 levels of intensity - low, medium and high. The best benefit received from cupping is done from a medium to high intensity level. However, similar benefits may be observed in some individuals in the low to medium intensities. As long as there is visibility of a circular cupping mark on the area where the cups are applied, we can assume the therapy provided some benefit. 

Whether you are living an active or sedentary lifestyle, cupping therapy is appropriate for everyone. Even if you currently do not have any pain or discomfort, cupping can help keep your muscles and joints loose to prevent further injury. The effects of cupping can help with managing symptoms of stress and help relax the body to improve your quality of life and focus. The effects of cupping are seen almost immediately and the benefits can last up to a week. 

Because cupping is a manual therapy that causes a form of stress on the body’s muscle (similar to massage), it is best to not do cupping everyday. Allow the body to recover from a cupping session before getting the therapy done again. The time for the body’s recovery from a session typically ranges from 4-6 days. Ideally, it is safe to get cupping done weekly to reap the best benefits while allowing the body to rest and recover. 

 When coming in for a cupping session it is important to make sure the area receiving the therapy is clean and free of any open wounds, blisters and/or boils. The trained individual applying the therapy will notify you of any contraindications that are observed during the session. Please wear appropriate clothing for the region of focus. Example: If the focus region is the knee, please arrive in loose fitted pants that can roll past the knee or athletic shorts to expose the appropriate region. There is always the option to bring a change of clothes as well. 

 Cupping is suitable for most people as mentioned above, however there are certain people who must have caution before going in for cupping: 

-Inflamed or sensitive skin 

-High fever or convulsions 

-Dry skin that bleed easily

-Active blister or boils in the region of focus 

-Pregnancy (any area is fine except the low back and abdomen visibly showing the pregnancy)

Have you seen purplish circular color marks on athletes before? Yes, you can get those as well when you receive cupping therapy. Cupping marks are not bruises. Bruises occur when the blood vessels burst due to a traumatic force and blood leaks out into open space. Cupping marks occur because it is pulling up dead blood cells and/or toxins from the body up to the surface of the skin locally in the shape of the vessel (circle cup). 

 The cupping marks vary in color. Each degree of discoloration is diagnostic with showing which area has least amount of blood flow and tightest muscle fibers. Cupping therapy is also a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and each degree of discoloration means different TCM diagnosis as well.

Please see below, TCM diagnosis in parenthesis: 

 -No redness = No circulation (Qi & Blood Deficiency)

 -Mild redness/pink = Healthy. Ideal color from the negative pressure. 

 -Moderate redness = Moderate stagnation in circulation

 -Light purple = Poor circulation (Qi & Blood Stagnation)

 -Deep red and purple = Severe lack of circulation

 -Red with spotting = Toxin accumulation

 -Blister/water droplet formation = Fluid accumulation, lack of circulation (Dampness)

The Cupping Box will offer various forms of cupping depending on the condition being treated. There are 2 types of cupping therapy: Dry Cupping & Wet Cupping. 

DRY CUPPING (Most of the time): 

 Cups are placed strategically over several areas at once to create a vacuum that lifts the soft tissue and stretches the muscle fibers upward within the muscle and fascia. 

I - STATIONARY CUPPING = this is when the cup stays on the body and does not move for about 7-10 minutes. Cups may be removed and applied to another region where it will remain stationary again until time of removal. 

II - MOVING CUPPING = Massage oil is applied on the body and then the cups are applied. The cups are then pushed gently along the muscle for about 7-10 minutes. This technique will cover a larger area more quickly and it will leave a dark red response from the skin. This is a similar technique as Graston. Moving Cupping will break up any damaged tissue and will release any knots or scar tissue. This will then allow the body to heal from the micro damages done. 

WET CUPPING: 

 This is where small punctures are made in a specific area of the body using a specialized lancet device. Once the area is punctured, the vacuum cup is applied and this will allow any blood stuck and not in circulation to be removed from that region of the body. This is similar to a bloodletting technique called “Hijama”, however, we focus more on appropriate regions of the body and for only specific conditions. This is a technique used commonly for areas of the body where swelling will not go down. 

These marks are harmless and they will slowly fade before completely disappearing after 1-2 weeks, depending on the skin’s tone and regenerative ability. You will notice as you get cupping treatment regularly (about once a week), you will see the marks will visibly become lighter and lighter. This is proof that your circulation is improving and the pain and/or discomfort is getting better. 

 Depending on the intensity of the cupping mark, the time for it to go away varies: 

 -Light pink = Fades away within a few hours to a few days. 

 -Dark red/purple = Fades away between a few days to a few weeks. 

If you do not wish to have marks on certain areas, please let the trained individual know. Regardless, the trained individual will ask before a treatment if there are any areas to avoid with marks being visible. 

Not all insurances cover Cupping Therapy as a stand alone therapy. Because of this The Cupping Box will not be taking insurance. If policies change in the future then we will explore the option of possibly taking insurance :)