What is Cupping?

Cupping is a method of using glass ‘dome-like’ cups to create a vacuum over acupuncture points to remove stagnation of blood and qi within the body and is primarily used in treating patients with back, shoulder, hip and knee problems.

The vacuum raises a small amount of flesh which eases tension and helps to remove the stagnation of blood, reducing pain. It is effectively like a massage in reverse - a massage pushes the muscle in, whereas cupping slightly pulls it out. It has a comforting and soothing effect on the body, and is excellent at easing aches and pains, as well as lifting deep bruising.

Cupping is also used to help support the body at times when the body’s immunity is low, such as at the beginning of a common cold.

The cups will appear to leave a mark or bruise the skin. This will disappear within a couple of hours, so there is no need to worry if this happens to you.