top of page
SERVICES CUPPING 1816846454.jpg

Cupping

Cupping therapy is an ancient healing technique performed by applying cups onto the skin and creating a subatmospheric pressure (causes the pulling effect) either by heat or by suction. (1, 2)

 

Eber's papyrus (1550 BC) from Ancient Egypt is one of the oldest medical texts to mention cupping therapy. Cupping therapy is part of numerous ancient healing systems, such as Chinese, Unani, traditional Korean, Tibetan, and Oriental medicine. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates compiled extensive descriptions of the cupping application. (3, 4)

SERVICES CUPPING 1987058564.jpg

Cupping works by promoting peripheral blood circulation (skin’s blood flow), improving cellular immunity, changing the skin's biomechanical properties, increasing pain thresholds, improving local anaerobic metabolism, and reducing inflammation. (5, 6, 7, 8)

 

Cupping therapy has reported benefits in the treatment of the following:

 

 

The back is the most common site of cupping, followed by the chest, abdomen, buttocks, and legs. Other areas of the body, including the face, may also benefit from cupping. (29)

 

Similar to acupuncture, cupping is very well-tolerated overall by most patients, with low risk of side effects.

 

Cupping is a great pair with acupuncture and/or Gua Sha and trigger point therapy (refer to our other Services pages).

CALL 602-248-0083 TO SCHEDULE YOUR CUPPING SESSION!
References:

  1. J Altern Complement Med, 20 (4) (2014 Apr 1), pp. 318-321

  2. J Tradit Complement Med, 5.3 (2015), pp. 127-134

  3. J Integr Med, 15 (3) (2017 May 31), pp. 172-181

  4. J Altern Complement Med, 14 (8) (2008 Oct 1), pp. 899-902

  5. World J Acupunct Moxibustion, 23 (3) (2013 Sep 30), pp. 50-52

  6. Complement Med Res, 24 (1) (2017), pp. 26-32

  7. Complement Ther Med, 22 (1) (2014 Feb 1), pp. 148-158

  8. IEEE International Symposium on Bioelectronics and Bioinformatics (IEEE ISBB)

  9. (2014 Apr 11), pp. 1-4

  10. Trials, 12 (2011 Jun 10), p. 146

  11.  J Altern Complement Med, 21 (8) (2015 Aug 1), pp. 504-508

  12.  Complement Ther Med, 17 (1) (2009 Jan 31), pp. 9-15

  13.  Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2012 (2012), p. 429718

  14.  Forsch Komplementmed, 18 (6) (2011), pp. 327-334

  15.  BMC Complement Altern Med, 11 (1) (2011), p. 63

  16.  PLoS One, 8 (6) (2013), Article e65378

  17.  World Fam Med J, 99 (289) (2010 Apr), pp. 1-7

  18.  Am J Chin Med, 36 (1) (2008), pp. 37-44

  19.  J Adv Pharm Technol Res, 4 (4) (2013 Oct), pp. 217-223

  20.  BMC Complement Altern Med, 12 (Suppl 1) (2012), p. P316

  21.  Zhen Ci Yan Jiu, 36 (6) (2011 Dec), pp. 433-436

  22.  Complement Ther Med, 14 (4) (2006 Dec), pp. 247-253

  23.  J Pain, 10 (6) (2009 Jun), pp. 601-608

  24.  Clin Exp Hypertens, 32 (7) (2010), pp. 423-425

  25.  J Integr Med, 13 (6) (2015 Nov), pp. 391-399

  26.  Iran J Med Sci, 41 (3 Suppl) (2016 May), p. S37

  27.  Egypt J Immunol, 12 (2) (2005), pp. 39-51

  28.  Indian J Physiother Occup Ther, 5 (2011), pp. 122-126

  29.  Childhood Postgraduate Institute. Ain Shams University, Egypt (2010)

  30.  Int J Dermatol, 43 (9) (2004 Sep 1), pp. 664-665

bottom of page