Cupping Therapy

Cupping is a technique that uses handheld glass cups to vacuum or suction skin and tissues. This method reduces tension, softens tightened muscles, increases hydration, improves blood flow, and lifts restricted connective tissue by applying vacuum pressure. In a nutshell, this method is similar to massage, but works in the opposite way. Massage applies force to push blood and treat the tissues while Cupping pulls blood upward to treat the tissues. This is what makes Cupping effective. It takes tense or tight tissue and brings it to the skin’s surface so it can be drained of excess fluid and toxins, providing relief and relaxation. Cupping can be used on most regions of the body, though it’s best for large muscle zones.

Let’s talk a little bit more about what Cupping massage is and how it can help you.

When is Cupping Used?

Knowing when to use Cupping is important as it allows for the best possible end results. Cupping can be used specifically after an exercising event or regularly to promote relaxation. There are times when Cupping can be especially effective. So, here’s a list of times when it can/should be performed.

When your muscles are tight
After exercise
After participating in a sport
Anytime as a treatment for high muscle tone
Anytime to promote muscle relaxation

What are the benefits of Cupping?

It is believed that Cupping can help with a variety of issues that deal with muscle tension and tightness. Here are some of the benefits of Cupping:

It can decrease tension
It can relieve tight and tense muscles
It can flush toxins out of the body
It can improve blood circulation
It can promote relaxation

It can release fascia restriction

How does Cupping work?

Cupping has a variety of benefits related to decreasing tension within the tissues of the body. Tension is often the result of stress, but it can also be caused by surgery or repetitive exercise. If left alone, tension can cause discomfort and tightness, and even restrict joint movement. Cupping is beneficial because it releases tension by actually lifting the tissues and pulling blood to all parts of the muscles being treated. During a Cupping session, your muscles will soften quickly and you’ll likely feel a burst of relief and a tingling sensation in the targeted area.

To help with tight muscles, your practitioner will use larger cups with stronger vacuum power. The vacuum mimics the techniques used during a deep tissue massage – and the feeling afterwards is similar as well. Your practitioner will move the cups along your muscles in order to stimulate rigid tissue and remove any existing knots.

Cupping gets the body’s lymphatic system working. This is one of the best features of Cupping. Toxins that are drawn out during the Cupping process are carried away by the lymphatic system and therefore leave the body. At the same time, the area is flooded with increased healthy blood flow and nourishment.

What body parts can be targeted with Cupping?

Before your session begins, you and your practitioner will discuss the parts of your body that are causing you trouble. Then your practitioner will place the cups in those areas and begin the work of Cupping. The most common body parts targeted during a Cupping session are the following:

Forearms
Upper arms
Upper back
Lower back
Thighs
Calfs
Abdominal/Stomach area

Cupping: The Bottom Line

Cupping massage can be used alone or with acupuncture to decrease tension, promote relaxation, and restore healthy blood flow and circulation. It has also been known to help with the treatment of scar tissue and fascial restrictions. Results can be further improved with healthy living, healthy eating, and exercise.

How can you find Cupping in Raleigh, North Carolina?

If you’re searching for a provider of Cupping massage services in Raleigh, North Carolina, you’ll want to find someone with the experience, qualifications, and compassion that make them the best at their job. Look no further than Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center. Our goal since 2010 has been to provide quality and compassionate acupuncture and other holistic services like Dry Needling, Guasha, Tuina Massage, Stretching, Cupping, and Orthopedic Movements in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding areas. Much like the balance that acupuncture and Cupping provide for your body, we provide our patients with balanced care: the highest quality healthcare, while at the same time focusing on compassionate services that treat you, the patient, with holistic, individualized treatment.

Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center for all of your Cupping needs

Hi, I’m Jim Eleczko, the founder of Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center and it’s my mission to provide you with compassionate, whole-person care using holistic treatments, including Acupuncture, Dry Needling, and Tunia Massage. I’m a board-certified and licensed Acupuncturist practicing since 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. I love that I get to wake up every day to make meaningful changes in my patient’s lives. I’ve seen first hand the changes that Acupuncture can make.

As a teen I suffered from allergies and my father suggested that I try Acupuncture to calm the symptoms. It worked – and left a lasting impression on me! Now I offer Acupuncture and other treatments to help people with a variety of issues, including anxiety, migraines, fibromyalgia, and more. Our other treatments include Dry Needling, Guasha, Cupping, Stretching, Orthopedic Movements, Electroacupuncture and Therapeutic Exercises.

Here’s a bit more about me and my qualifications: I studied the 4-year program at Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine and continue to travel multiple times a year to study with my mentor, Andrew Nugent-Head. I also studied under Dr. Ed Garbacz, M.D. LAc and spent a year working and studying under Dr. Bonnie Walker, M.D. LAc. I have also done extensive post-graduate studies in acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicine from lectures of acupuncturists like Dr. Nguyen Van Nghi, Dr. Tran Viet Dzung, Matt Callison, and Edward Obaidey.

Get in touch with me by calling (919) 260-4104. I’d be happy to answer your questions and get you booked for an appointment today!