Cupping
The technique of cupping has been used for centuries in China for promoting the circulation of qi and blood, reducing pain and helping women recover more quickly after child birth. Historically, this treatment method was called “fire cups. The technique was named after the process of lighting a small piece of material on fire, which was quickly inserted into a glass cup to evacuate the oxygen inside creating suction. The cup was then immediately applied to the affected area of the body needing treatment.  Suction was formed between the skin and the cup increasing circulation to the affected area providing the desired therapeutic effect.

Today, the traditional style of fire cups is still used by many practitioners of Chinese Medicine. For those unfamiliar with the traditional technique, a new design modification has been made to the original art form. The modern version of the technique is similar to the historical “fire cups” method, but instead of evacuating the oxygen by flame, a small hand pump it attached to the top of the cup via a small spigot. The air is then evacuated from the inside of the cup by squeezing the hand-held pump. The result; the level of suction can be controlled more easily and the risk of being burned has been eliminated. When considering receiving this method, you should know that the suction created by cupping can leave ring shaped bruises that may last up to a week. Most clients do not mind the bruising because the therapeutic results are worth it.