Acupuncture

Cupping+Acupuncture

Acupuncture combined with cupping: glass cups create gentle suction over tight or tired muscles, traditionally used to move stagnant Qi and Blood, ease muscle tension and complement the effect of acupuncture.

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Background

Understanding Cupping+Acupuncture

01
Traditional Background

Fire cupping with glass cups on the back

How Did Cupping Develop?

Cupping is an ancient technique found in many traditional medical systems, and it has been part of Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, originally using animal horns and later bamboo and glass cups.
In our clinic, a naked flame is briefly placed inside a round glass cup to create a vacuum. The flame is removed and the cup is placed quickly onto the treatment area before the vacuum is lost, so the skin and muscle are drawn gently upwards into the cup. Cups are usually left in place for up to 20 minutes. Where larger areas need treatment, we use sliding cupping: a thin layer of massage oil is spread over the skin and the cups are glided along the muscles being treated.
In TCM theory, pain and stiffness often arise where Qi and Blood have become stagnant. Cupping is used to help them flow more freely through the affected area, which is why it is so often combined with acupuncture.
Movesstagnant Qi and Blood
Releasestight, tense muscles
Clearswind, cold and damp from the channels
Supportsthe effect of acupuncture
Figure 1. The four traditional actions of cupping in TCM theory.
02
Modern Scientific Perspective

How Does Cupping Work?

Researchers have proposed several ways in which the suction of cupping may produce its effects, although none has yet been fully confirmed^[1]:
Suction from the cup
over the treatment area
Local circulationNegative pressure draws blood towards the surface and may increase local blood flow; this is what causes the round marks.
Soft-tissue stretchLifting the skin and fascia gently stretches the underlying muscle, which may ease tension.
Pain modulationStimulation of the skin may influence how pain signals are processed by the nervous system.
Figure 2. Mechanisms of cupping proposed in the research literature^[1].
Clinical evidence is still limited. A large review of randomised trials found that cupping may be beneficial for some conditions, including some types of pain, when combined with other treatments such as acupuncture, but most of the included studies were small and of low methodological quality^[2]. An earlier systematic review of cupping for pain reached a similar conclusion and called for more rigorous trials^[3].
We therefore present cupping as a complementary therapy to support comfort and relaxation, not as a replacement for medical diagnosis or care.

References

Al-Bedah AMN, Elsubai IS, Qureshi NA, et al. The medical perspective of cupping therapy: effects and mechanisms of action. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2019;9(2):90–97. doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.03.003
Cao H, Li X, Liu J. An updated review of the efficacy of cupping therapy. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(2):e31793. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0031793
Kim JI, Lee MS, Lee DH, Boddy K, Ernst E. Cupping for treating pain: a systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;2011:467014. doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nep035

Your session

What you need to know

1Before your treatment

What to Prepare

If you have any medical reports, examination or test results, feel free to bring them with you. They can help us better understand your condition, but they are not necessary.
Please let your practitioner know if you are pregnant, take blood-thinning medication, bruise easily, or have any skin conditions, broken skin or varicose veins in the area to be treated.
2During your treatment

What to Expect
- Wear comfortable clothing and avoid coming very hungry or overly full.
- Your practitioner inserts fine acupuncture needles at the chosen points.
- A flame is briefly placed inside each glass cup to create a vacuum and then removed; the cup is placed onto your skin, which is drawn gently upwards.
- Cups are usually left in place for up to 20 minutes. For larger areas, oil is applied and the cups are slid along the muscles.
- You should feel a firm pulling sensation, not pain. If the suction is uncomfortable, tell your practitioner and they will use a smaller cup or reduce the suction.
3After your treatment

Aftercare
- Cupping usually leaves round marks that look like bruises. They can take up to two weeks to fade, depending on how dark they are.
- Keep the cupped area covered and avoid getting it wet for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid baths and swimming for 24 hours.
- Keep hydrated and avoid vigorous exercise for the rest of the day.
Many people feel loose and relaxed afterwards. If you notice anything unusual, such as blistering, let us know.

Who can benefit

Conditions cupping may help with

Cupping is most often chosen for muscular tension and aches, especially where muscles feel tight, knotted or heavy. These are some of the most common reasons our patients choose cupping + acupuncture.

Neck & shoulder tension

Stiff, tight neck and shoulders from desk work, stress or poor posture are one of the most common reasons people try cupping.

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Lower back pain

Many patients choose cupping for a tight, aching lower back, often combined with acupuncture.

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Muscle aches & sports recovery

Sliding cupping is often used over large muscle groups that feel heavy or sore after training.

Sciatica-type pain

Cupping may be used over tight buttock and leg muscles as part of a wider acupuncture treatment.

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Tension headaches

Headaches linked to tight neck and upper back muscles are often treated with cupping alongside acupuncture.

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Fatigue & low energy

Some patients find cupping deeply relaxing and choose it as part of treatment for feeling run-down.

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Stress & tension

Many people use cupping to unwind physically when stress shows up as tight, tense muscles.

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Joint stiffness

Stiffness around joints that feels worse in cold or damp weather, traditionally linked to wind and damp in TCM.

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Your practitioner will assess whether cupping is right for you at your consultation.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does cupping hurt?

Cupping does not generally hurt. Most people feel a firm, pulling sensation. If the suction is uncomfortable, tell your practitioner, who will either use a smaller cup or reapply the same cup with less suction.

Will there be marks or bruising?

Most of the time, yes. Cupping usually leaves round, bruise-like marks where the cups were placed. They are not usually painful and normally fade within up to two weeks, depending on how dark they are. Bear this in mind if you have an event coming up.

Is fire placed on my skin?

No. The flame is only placed briefly inside the glass cup to create the vacuum and is removed before the cup touches your skin.

How often should I have cupping?

It depends on your individual case. Cupping may be used for a few sessions or throughout a course of treatment, alongside acupuncture or massage. Your practitioner will suggest a plan after your first consultation.

Is cupping suitable for everyone?

Not always. Please tell your practitioner if you are pregnant, take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, fragile skin or a skin condition in the treatment area. They will advise whether cupping is right for you.

Still have a question? Ask our practitioners.