Cupping is an ancient Chinese form of massage therapy where glass, plastic, or bamboo cups are used to create suction on the skin’s surface. This mobilizes blood flow and allows for a deeper release during the massage. The suction in the cups causes the skin and superficial muscle layer to be lightly drawn into the cup.

Our cupping technique uses a glass that is warmed to create a partial vacuum, so that it can be “stuck” on the skin. In some cases, the cup may be moved while the suction of skin is active. This causes a regional pull of the skin and muscles (known as gliding cupping), which is an attempt to “re-start” the circulation of blood in the body.

Cupping is one of the best deep tissue therapies available. Scientifically, this technique is known to help activate the lymphatic system, promote blood circulation and aid deep tissue repair. It is thought to affect tissues up to four inches deep from the external skin. Toxins can be released, blockages can be cleared, and veins and arteries can be refreshed within these four inches of affected materials. Even hands, wrists, legs, and ankles can be ‘cupped,’ thus applying the healing to specific organs that correlate with these points.

Dynamic Cupping

Dynamic Cupping uses a hand operated suction pump or silicone cups to better control the amount of suction and avoid using fire to depressurize the cups. During a Dynamic Cupping treatment, the cups are not left static long enough to cause bruising on the client. The cups are moved by the therapist to create a stretch to the muscles and connective tissues. This form of cupping is typically used to treat fascia, the connective webbing surrounding all tissues and muscles. Dynamic Cupping therapists follow the lines of fascia running throughout the body in order to realign and restructure the tissue. If you’re having issues with knots or troubled areas, it might be best to try static cupping that area.

Fire Cupping

Traditional Fire Cupping typically involves the therapist soaking a cotton ball in almost pure alcohol. The cotton is clamped by a pair of forceps, lit and, in one motion, placed into the cup and quickly removed, while the cup is placed on the skin. The fire heats the inside of the cup and a small amount of suction is created by the air cooling down and contracting. Because of this contracting, the skin is forced into the cup. The cups are then kept in that position for a set period of time to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, and relaxation. Once time is up, the cups are removed. Dark circles may appear where the cups have been removed from. This is caused by the capillaries under the skin rupturing during the treatment.