Cupping is an ancient practice that uses glass or silicone cups placed on specific locations of the body to create a vacuum which helps to move areas of heat, toxins, and stagnation so that the body can more optimally function.
In Chinese Medicine, the body is seen as having 12 major ‘rivers’ of energy known as meridians. These meridians help facilitate the movement of blood and nutrients throughout the body, nourish the organ systems, keep muscles, tendons, bones and vessels healthy, and also help to remove toxins that can collect in these meridians. These toxins can prevent the tissues from receiving proper nourishment, blood and bodily fluids. When injury or disease occur or with poor diet, lack of exercise and movement, sometimes our body needs help removing the wastes that can accumulate along these meridians.
Cupping, through its vacuum action of the skin, helps facilitate this movement of fluids and heat away from areas where there is excess and allows for clearer movement of blood, energy and oxygen to those tissues. It’s akin to pulling sticks and leaves out of a river so that the waters can flow more freely bringing fresh fluids and energy to not only the river but to all that lives in the river.
You may have seen Michael Phelps’ back during the summer Olympics where he had many darkened circles from a practitioner having cupped his back. With the extreme exercise that he does, lactic acid can build up in the tissues and basically slow down the healing process of his muscles. By cupping those areas of stagnation or in his case, slow-down of the movement of lactic acid, the cupping helps to move lactic acid to create the movement of healthy blood.
Cupping generally feels really good and tension-relieving. The marks can last a few days, depending on how much stagnation may be present.
Approximately 30 minutes – $50