Cheryl Takeda – Acupuncture – Healing and Wellness Center

Cupping therapy uses cups which are placed on the skin to create a suction. Cupping mobilizes blood flow which promotes healing.

Cupping therapy dates back to the ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Middle Eastern cultures.  According to many studies in Australia and China researchers found that cupping therapy is effective especially when combined with acupuncture.

Cupping can be described as the reverse of massage.  Instead of pressure cupping uses suction to pull skin and muscles up.  We place cupping jars on the skin and create a vacuum by suctioning air out.  The tissue is raised upwards into the cup.  This process enhances circulation and pulls out heat or toxins that reside in your body’s tissues.  You will often feel a tight sensation in the area of the cup.  The cups will remain for short or longer amounts of time depending on the treatment which is unique per patient.

The skin underneath the cup will temporarily become red, blue or purple.  Typically the more the blockage the darker the area will appear.  The skin discoloration can last from a few days to a couple weeks.  We wait until the marks have cleared before a second therapy session.  The process can be repeated until the condition is resolved.