Cupping is a very simple yet effective technique which uses glass or plastic cups that are placed on the body using suction.  It can be used alone or in combination with acupuncture and it’s history dates back thousands of years. Cupping works very similar to acupuncture by helping to move Qi and blood within the body’s meridians or channels. Cupping can be thought of as a reverse massage since it sucks tissue and muscle upwards by a vacuum effect helping to remove stagnation and congestion out of overworked muscles. It can be very soothing and sometimes tender like a deep tissue massage. It is completely normal for bruising to occur after treatment. It usually goes away in a few days and can be mitigated by drinking plenty of fluids and taking an Epsom salt bath to compliment your treatment.

•    Headaches and dizziness
•    Painful tendons and bones
•    Cough and asthma
•    Stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion
•    Acute sprains
•    Common colds
•    Menstruation pain
•    Low back, shoulder and leg pain

Talk to your naturopathic doctor to see if this therapy is appropriate for you. People with bleeding issues like hemophilia, edema, very thin muscles or severely allergic skin should consider different options other than cupping as they may not react positively to this treatment.