Cupping therapy in St. Petersburg, FL
An ancient Chinese therapy that uses gentle suction to move blood and lymph, ease pain and inflammation, and help the body heal.
Cupping therapy, sometimes called cupping massage, uses small cups, usually glass, to create suction on the skin. That suction helps move fluids like blood and lymph, which increases blood flow, reduces inflammation and swelling, and eases pain. In Chinese medicine, it's also used to help the body clear what are called pathogenic factors, such as wind, cold, and heat.
How cupping works
Traditional cupping uses glass cups and a quick flame. The practitioner holds a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol with forceps, lights it, and briefly passes it inside the cup to draw the air out. The flame is moved safely away and the cup is placed on the skin, creating suction. The flame never touches you.
Cups are either left in place for 5 to 15 minutes, or moved back and forth across the skin. Many patients prefer moving cupping because it boosts circulation and simply feels good. Cupping can be placed along acupuncture meridians and is usually done as part of an acupuncture session.
Why it helps
Chinese medicine looks at many problems as stagnation, something stuck that should be moving. That could be fluid that has pooled, like swollen ankles, poor blood flow in sore muscles, or phlegm that hangs on, like a lingering cough after a cold. Acupuncture and cupping help get things moving again.
Think of cupping as massage in reverse. Instead of pressing down, the suction gently pulls tissue up, opening the area and bringing in fresh blood and oxygen. Better blood flow lets the body deliver its own anti-inflammatory compounds to help the area heal and relieve pain.
What cupping is used for
Cupping is often used in the early stages of a cold or flu to help kick-start the body's healing response and relieve chest congestion and coughing. Patients also come in for pain, inflammation, arthritis, migraines, digestive issues, stress, and anxiety.
It's popular with athletes, too. Cupping got a lot of attention after swimmer Michael Phelps showed up at the 2016 Olympics with cupping marks, and it can support athletic performance and recovery.
Gentle cupping for children
Infants and small children are treated with soft rubber, silicone, or plastic cups that are gentle on delicate skin and don't use a flame. This can help with colds, sinus congestion, and digestive problems.
What to expect after cupping
Cupping is generally safe when done by a trained professional. It does leave marks on the skin, anywhere from light red streaks to dark purple marks that look like bruises. They usually fade within a few days. If you have a special event coming up, like a wedding or a day at the beach, plan around that. The color of the marks often reflects how much circulation is improving in that area.
Most patients enjoy it, and it's one of the most requested treatments at the practice. You can see it in action in the cupping therapy video.