What Is Cupping?

Cupping involves placing specially designed cups onto the skin and creating negative pressure, or suction, within the cup.

This suction draws the skin and superficial tissues upward rather than applying downward pressure in the way massage or other manual therapies typically do.

Different forms of cupping exist. At East Brunswick Acupuncture, I primarily use traditional glass fire cups. A flame is briefly introduced into the cup to remove some of the air before the cup is placed onto the skin. The flame never touches your body.

Depending on what we are treating, cups may remain stationary for several minutes or be gently moved across the skin using a technique known as gliding cupping.

How Does Cupping Work?

The exact mechanisms behind cupping are still being investigated.

From a contemporary physiological perspective, the negative pressure created by the cup mechanically stimulates the skin, connective tissue and underlying superficial tissues.

Research suggests that cupping can produce local changes in blood flow and provide sensory input through receptors within the skin and deeper tissues. The stretching and decompressive forces created by suction may also influence how an area feels and moves temporarily.

Like other forms of manual therapy, the experience of cupping also provides sensory information to the nervous system, which may contribute to short-term changes in pain perception and muscle tension.

Although cupping has traditionally been used for a wide variety of health concerns, current clinical research has focused largely on musculoskeletal pain. Some studies report reductions in pain following cupping, particularly in areas such as the neck and lower back, but the quality and consistency of the evidence varies considerably.

For this reason, I generally use cupping as one component of a broader treatment approach, rather than as a stand-alone treatment for a specific medical condition.

Why Might I Use Cupping During Your Treatment?

I most commonly incorporate cupping when there is:

• Muscular tightness or tension

• Neck, shoulder or back discomfort

• Areas that feel stiff or restricted

• Sensitivity or discomfort within superficial soft tissues

• A preference for broader tissue stimulation alongside acupuncture or Tuina

Whether cupping is appropriate depends on your individual presentation.

Sometimes acupuncture or electro-acupuncture may be the main treatment and cupping is added for a particular area of muscular tension. At other times, Tuina and cupping may be used together as part of a predominantly hands-on treatment.

Not everybody needs cupping, and more treatment techniques do not necessarily mean a better treatment.

What Does Fire Cupping Feel Like?

Cupping usually produces a strong pulling or stretching sensation as the tissues are drawn gently into the cup.

The sensation should feel tolerable rather than painful. The strength of the suction can be adjusted according to the area being treated and your sensitivity.

Many people find stationary cupping comfortable or relaxing, while gliding cupping can feel more similar to a strong form of manual therapy.

Please tell me if the suction feels too intense at any point. Treatment can easily be adjusted.

What Are the Marks Left by Cupping?

Cupping can leave temporary circular red, purple or darker marks on the skin where the cups have been placed.

These marks result from the mechanical effect of suction on the superficial tissues and small blood vessels beneath the skin. They are not an indication that toxins have been removed from the body, nor does a darker mark necessarily mean that an area was more unhealthy or required more treatment.

The colour and intensity of the marks vary considerably between people and between different areas of the body.

Marks usually fade gradually over several days, although occasionally they can remain visible for longer.

If you have an event coming up or simply don't want visible cupping marks, let me know and we can choose another treatment approach.

Is Cupping Safe?

Dry cupping is generally considered a low-risk therapy when performed appropriately by a trained practitioner, but it can cause temporary skin changes and discomfort.

Expected effects can include:

• Temporary circular marks

• Mild tenderness

• Temporary skin sensitivity

• A pulling or stretching sensation during treatment

Cupping may not be appropriate over broken, irritated or infected skin, or in some circumstances involving bleeding or clotting disorders, certain medications or other medical conditions.

Your relevant medical history is considered before treatment and cupping will only be used where appropriate.

Cupping as Part of Your Acupuncture Treatment

Cupping does not need to be booked as a completely separate therapy.

At East Brunswick Acupuncture, I often integrate fire cupping with acupuncture, electro-acupuncture or Tuina Chinese massage when it complements the treatment plan.

For example, acupuncture may be used to provide more targeted sensory stimulation while cupping or Tuina provides broader mechanical stimulation to surrounding muscles and tissues.

Which techniques are used, if any, depends on what you are presenting with and how your body responds to treatment.

Cupping Therapy in Brunswick East

East Brunswick Acupuncture is located within Myolab at 3/50 Albert Street, Brunswick East, providing acupuncture and complementary therapies including fire cupping and Tuina to people from Brunswick East and surrounding Melbourne suburbs.

My approach combines traditional Chinese medicine techniques with contemporary clinical reasoning, anatomy, pain science and an understanding of the nervous system.

If you're unsure whether cupping would be appropriate for you, you're welcome to ask during your appointment or get in touch before booking.