Cupping Therapy is an alternative form of therapy that originated in China, Egypt, the Middle East, Italy, and Russia, among other countries, thousands of years ago. It involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. The suction may facilitate pain relief, blood flow, inflammation, relaxation, cell repair, and well being. Proponents also claim that the suction helps facilitate the flow of “chi” (a Chinese word meaning “life force”). The belief is that cupping helps balance ying and yang (positive, negative energy) through the body.

Some possible contraindications include seniors and adults with dry, brittle skin, pregnant women, and women currently menstruating. 

Duration of treatment. The typical duration of cupping therapy may last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. 

Types of material. The cups can be made from different materials such as glass, plastic, silicone, bamboo, or ceramic. 

How do the cups go on? Usually massage oil will go on the skin before the cups go on either via a vacuum with a bump, suctioned on by pressing down the cup, or the fire cupping technique by alcohol being applied to it, then heated with fire for an extremely short duration. (Don’t worry, the client won’t be hurt or being burned.)

Types of cupping therapy. There are two types of cupping therapy, wet cupping and dry cupping. Wet cupping may involve both suction and controlled medicinal bleeding, while dry cupping it a suction-only method. Mind Body Dynamics only focuses on dry cupping, and as with the rest of Mind Body Dynamics’ services, cupping therapy is great as a standalone or can combined with other modalities, especially massage therapy.