Cupping Therapy

Cathy is certified with ACE Massage Cupping in various types of cupping therapy

Cupping is an AMAZING therapy that brings immediate relief! My cupping clients absolutely rave about their cupping results. In my experience, cupping is just as effective, if not MORE effective, than deep tissue massage. In fact, I do not offer deep tissue massage because it can send pain messages to the brain, and the brain then sends signals of pain to the muscles.

OUCH! That looks painful!

Despite how cupping looks in pictures, IT IS NOT PAINFUL! In fact, cupping sedates the Central Nervous System, and when that major messaging system is relaxed and sedated, the body can more easily harmonize, adjust biological rhythms and bring itself into more optimal balance and functioning.

Cupping Marks - Why are you bruising me?!

Cupping marks are NOT "bruises". It DOES, however, causes the skin to temporarily turn red, blue or purple, especially if there is an injury or energetic blockage under the area that was cupped. The skin discoloration can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, but should not be painful. Once the marks have cleared, the procedure can be repeated until the condition or ailment is resolved.

Cupping pulls blood to a region to stimulate healing. It is effective at stretching tight fascia and muscles. Cupping helps the tissue develop new blood flow and triggers release of anti-inflammatory chemicals in the body.

Celebrity cupping enthusiasts are growing in numbers

It was about 10 years ago when cupping first appeared in the tabloids. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow showed up on the red carpet with obvious round cupping marks on her back. She received a lot of press and later explained to Oprah, "It feels amazing and it's very relaxing."

The Details of Cupping

You can think about cupping as the inverse of massage. Rather than applying pressure to muscles, the suction uses pressure to pull skin, tissue and muscles upward. I often combine cupping with acupuncture into one treatment, but it could also be used alone.

Cupping was developed thousands of years ago and though the techniques have modernized, the original philosophy remains the same.

Cupping involves placing glass or plastic cups creating a vacuum by suctioning out the air. The underlying tissue is raised partially into the cup. The purpose of cupping is to enhance circulation, help relieve pain, remove "heat" and pull out the toxins that linger in your body's tissues.

You usually will feel a tight sensation in the area of the cup. Often, this sensation is relaxing and soothing. Depending on your comfort and Cathy's assessment of the problem, cups may be moved around or left in place. They may remain on your body briefly or for longer amounts of time. Each treatment is unique to you on that particular day. One very common area to be cupped is the back, although cups work well on other areas, too — particularly on fleshy sections of the body.

Cupping provides relief for many health conditions

Cupping has numerous benefits — it can help remove toxins from the body and stimulate the flow of fresh blood, lymph, and Qi to the affected area and throughout the body. It often works wonders for patients with the flu, colds, coughs, back and muscle pain, poor circulation, arthritis, anxiety, red itchy skin conditions (though cups are not applied to inflamed areas), allergies, fevers, aches and myriad other pains.

Cupping is not exclusive to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Variations of this treatment were used by ancient Egyptians, North American Indians, early Greeks, and in other Asian and European countries. Cupping therapy was recommended by Hippocrates, the man whom many consider to be the "Father of Modern Medicine," in his guide to clinical treatment.

Cupping Methods

There are a number of methods of cupping — the two most common here in the U.S. are "fixed cupping" and "moving cupping."

Fixed Cupping (aka stationary and parked cupping):

The cups are placed on a selected area of your body and then left in place without being moved.

Moving Cupping (also known as "medicupping)

As the name implies, in this method your practitioner applies

massage oil or cream on your skin in selected places, puts the

cups over the areas to be treated and then slides them around

that region of the body — most commonly the back.

The cups slide easily because the cream has lubricated your body.

You ought to consider exploring the benefits of cupping if you

seek relief from stress, pain, allergies, fatigue, flu, colds, back pain,

anxiety, muscle aches, red itchy skin conditions or fever.

Cupping Rates

45 mins

$65

The 30 min service is best for face/neck lift and drainage, and frequent visits for injuries, pre and post surgery, arthritis, cellulite reduction, plantar fasciitis,

60 mins

$75

For 1-2 muscle group areas of body

75 mins

$85

For 2-3 muscle group areas of body

90 mins

$120

For 3-4 muscle group areas of body

Lymph Drainage - *90 mins

$120

(*for clients 200 lbs or less.

Over 200 lbs may require 2 hr appt)

2 hrs

$150

(must have phone consult to approve a 2 hr cupping session. We do NOT want to OVERCUP!)

For healthy clients, I recommend lymph drainage every 3-6 months.

The Lymphatic System does not have a pump to move it along, therefore medicupping lymph drainage is extremely beneficial to help toxins move into the elimination pathways.

ASK ABOUT MY FREQUENCY RATES FOR WEEKLY AND BI-MONTHLY CUPPING!!!

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