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Jessica Bugra

Traditional Chinese Suction Cupping

Updated: Jul 15, 2019

A healing technique that used alongside with Acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities. Cupping is performed by placing glass jars on the skin and creating a vacuum either manually with a pump or with fire. This type of suctioning on the surface is often seen as an inverse massage; the cups use pressure to pull the skin, tissues, and muscles upwards ( rather than apply pressure to the muscles like a traditional massage).

In recent years athletes have made cupping a trendy regime, it’s become their go-to for helping relieve stiff, sore back, neck, and shoulder muscles, and even used to help sciatica. However traditional cupping was also used for internal issues, such as enhancing circulation, relaxing the nervous system, improving organ function and pulling out any harmful pathogens that linger in the body.


Clinically cupping helps improve the following conditions



  • Sore muscles: relaxing the tension and increasing blood flowMental health issues like anxiety, depression or stress: relaxing the muscles around the spinal cord allow for better nerve circulation to the brain and body

  • Flu, colds, or removal of external pathogen: the suction opens up pores releasing any harmful pathogens to the surface

  • Physical and mental fatigue

  • Cellulite


Cupping is generally a very safe and soothing treatment, the post-treatment effects, however, do make people anxious. Cupping usually leaves light red to dark purple circular bruise-like marks that fade a few days after. The color of these marks and the length of this disappearance often depends on the condition. As you stay consistent with your treatments, this discoloration tends to get lighter each time, indicating improved circulation in that area.

For a complete treatment, cupping is usually complemented with an acupuncture treatment or further muscle release techniques.


Before you experience your first cupping session, please keep the following in mind:

There is some downtime, we highly suggest you do not expose the treated skin to cold, or wet conditions for the first 12 hours, so no showers, no sauna or extreme sweating as the pores are open and you are more susceptible to external pathogens.


Also please advise the practitioner if you are pregnant, have a heart condition or any open wounds or blisters in the area that is to be treated.

Feel free to contact me, if you have any further questions.

Looking forward to treating you to a soothing cupping session!


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