Cupping

Cupping Therapy Canberra

What Is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping is an ancient Chinese deep tissue therapy in which the opening of a cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is reduced (by either heat or suction) in order to draw and hold skin and superficial muscles inside the cup, causing local congestion.

There provides a greater emphasis on the acupuncture points due to the ease with which it can be performed. Cupping is frequently used after acupuncture and was developed to open up the meridians of the body. It was designed to remove any stagnation in the meridians of the body whilst opening those meridians so that qi can flow freely.

It also helps to rejuvenate certain meridians and organs that are not functioning at their best and draws toxins to the surface of the body. Cupping is also known to help activate the lymphatic system, promote blood circulation and is good for deep tissue repair.

When applied to the back, there are five meridians that can be opened to allow the energy to travel throughout the entire length of the body.

Safe

Effective

Alleviates Symptoms

Deep Tissue Repair

The Types of Cupping Therapy

There are three main types of cupping that we provide at our clinic.

Most types of cupping use the process of slowly burning oxygen inside a cup, which creates suction when the cup is placed on skin. This pressure helps to release muscle tension, improving blood circulation in the area below the skin. In general, cupping can be an effective remedy for muscle aches, period pain, or problems involving the wind or coldness (which is related to the five elements in Chinese medicine).

a person is getting a cupping treatment on their back

Three Types of Cupping

Standard Cupping

Standard cupping uses the process described above to relieve tension and pain, and does not involve any intrusive procedures. This type of cupping does not draw any blood, but may encourage moisture to be drawn from the skin. It is a traditional method of cupping in Chinese medicine and as the most commonly-used type of cupping, when clients request ‘cupping’ services at a Chinese medicine clinic, this is usually the treatment they are referring to. Presently, standard cupping is becoming more frequently used by sport athletes and anyone who enjoys and dedicates time to exercise, and to help with stress, muscle tension, and metabolic issues.
Bloodletting Therapy

Bloodletting therapy is an acupuncture-based therapy that can be assisted with cupping techniques. This therapy involves placing cups over areas on the skin where acupuncture treatment has been performed. The cup’s suction may gently draw a small amount of blood from where the acupuncture needle was placed on the skin. This type of cupping is more effective for treating skin conditions or irritation, releasing tension from acute pain, improving microcirculation and the flow of qi in meridians, reducing internal stress-related tension, and bringing down blocked energy in the upper part of the body, and more.
Sliding Cupping

Sliding cupping is the third type of cupping we can provide at the clinic. Sliding cupping focuses on the meridians in the body, which are channels within the body that carry qi (life force energy). In traditional Chinese medicine, pain can be described as energy blockages in the meridians. Therefore, the cup’s suction can slide over the meridians and draw qi away from accumulated areas in the body. For a smoother sliding motion, we may use either glass or plastic cups, depending on the patient.

There is a fourth main type of cupping, commonly known as ‘wet cupping’, that involves using a thin blade against the skin. Then, cups are applied to draw further blood. Unfortunately, we do not offer this type of cupping for hygienic purposes, and recommend that inquiring clients try alternative types of cupping.

Our practitioners will always consult with clients to determine the approach that will best support their health needs, even beyond these sample types of cupping described above. There are many different options, which make it possible to create a supportive and effective personalised treatment plan.

Cupping Pricing

Standard Cupping $40

Bloodletting Therapy $85

Sliding Cupping $65