Cupping - What's the Hype?

What is it and how can it improve your health?

Chinese medicine practitioners have been using cupping for thousands of years to treat a wide range of health problems. It is designed to help the body reduce inflammation, tension and pain by using suction. Think of it kind of like getting a massage in reverse.

What is it used for?

Cupping can help relieve muscle tension and tightness, but it can also help anyone with pain, stiffness, breathing problems, chronic cough, boosting immune system, creating a feeling of lightness, headaches, jaw pain, weight loss, detoxing, and the list goes on. If you are interested in a particular reason please contact me and we can further discuss.

How does it help?

In Chinese medicine, pain is viewed as stagnation or something that isn’t moving. If you have an injury, the swelling sometimes just sits there, or if you have arthritis, the inflammation doesn’t go anywhere. Cupping can help the body reabsorb the fluid and move the swelling out of the area.

What does it look like?

Cups used in cupping look like glass snow globe-like balls that range in size from three-quarters of an inch to four inches in diameter. They’re placed on the skin while air is removed by lighting a flame inside of the cup to create a small vacuum.

Is it painful?

Cupping doesn’t hurt, but it may leave a temporary mark. It is similar to massage, different areas of the body may be more sensitive than other areas.

Kelsey Bru is a licensed acupuncturist and TCM Herbalist in the Courtenay, British Columbia. She loves working with women's health, hormones, menopause, fertility, mental health, and beyond through her online articles and at her clinic, The Remedy Room, on Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay. Call for an appointment at 250-800-7738.