Care
Cupping
Glass or silicone cups held on the skin for a few minutes, usually on the back, hips or legs.
In cupping, a cup creates gentle suction on the skin, and we leave it in place or slide it over a well-oiled area. It feels like a firm pull, not a pinch.
Who usually comes
Cyclists and desk-bound weekend riders
Runners with tight hips and legs
Climbers with tight shoulders and upper backs
A visit
What a visit is like, in order
- 01
Step 1: We talk
About 10 minutes about your week and any skin concerns.
- 02
Step 2: You settle in
You lie face down on the table, with a blanket over the parts we are not working on.
- 03
Step 3: The cups
We place or slide a few cups for 5 to 10 minutes. Tell us if the pull is too much.
- 04
Step 4: A plan
Before you leave, we say what we did and what to watch for.
Good to know
Before and after
What you may feel afterward
Faint round marks are common and fade in a few days. Some people feel a little sore or tired. Avoid a hard workout on the same day.
Tell us first
Pregnancy, blood thinners or a bleeding disorder, skin that is sunburned, broken or inflamed, or a fear of needles if we pair cupping with them. Tell us if you plan to race within a few days.
How many visits
Your acupuncturist suggests a plan around your training on the first visit. It is a suggestion, not a promise, and results vary. You can change it or stop at any time.
What it does not do, and when to see a doctor
It does not replace your doctor, your physical therapist or emergency care. See a doctor first for sudden severe pain, chest pain, new weakness or numbness, a joint that gives way, or loss of bladder or bowel control. In an emergency, call 911.
Questions about cupping?
Ask us before you book. We explain each visit's fee before it starts.