Cupping therapy is one of the oldest and most recognised practices in Traditional Chinese Medicine and one that continues to grow in popularity across Melbourne’s north-east. Despite its long history, many people are not quite sure what cupping therapy actually involves or what to expect when they arrive at a clinic for the first time.
At AcuHealth Therapies in Templestowe Lower, cupping is regularly incorporated into therapy plans alongside acupuncture to provide a more complete and targeted level of support. Here is a straightforward overview of how a cupping therapy session is typically undertaken.
Before any therapy begins, your practitioner will conduct a thorough consultation to understand your health history, current concerns and the specific areas you would like to address. This is an important step, as it allows your practitioner to determine whether cupping is appropriate for you and how best to incorporate it into your overall therapy plan.
At AcuHealth Therapies, cupping is most commonly used to support patients managing back, shoulder and neck pain, poor circulation and musculoskeletal discomfort.
Once the consultation is complete, you will be asked to lie comfortably on the therapy table and expose the area to be treated, most commonly the back, shoulders or neck. Your practitioner may apply a small amount of oil to the skin to allow the cups to glide smoothly if sliding cupping is to be used.
Your practitioner will then apply the cups to the skin. At AcuHealth Therapies, we use glass cups and a brief flame is used to remove the oxygen from inside the cup before it is placed quickly onto the skin. As the air inside cools, a gentle vacuum is created that draws the skin upward into the cup.
The cups are placed on specific areas of the body, guided by the practitioner’s assessment of where tension, stagnation or discomfort is present.
Once the cups are in place, there are two main approaches your practitioner may use, depending on your needs.
Stationary cupping involves leaving the cups in position for a set period of time, typically between five and fifteen minutes. Most patients describe the sensation as a firm but comfortable pulling feeling on the skin.
Sliding cupping involves moving the cups gently across the skin in a gliding motion, which can feel similar to a deep tissue massage. This technique is particularly effective for larger muscle groups such as the back.
Both approaches are generally well tolerated. It is normal to feel a degree of warmth or mild pressure during the therapy, but cupping should not be painful. Your practitioner will always check in with you throughout the session to ensure you are comfortable.
When the therapy is complete, your practitioner will gently remove the cups by releasing the suction. For glass cups, this is done by pressing lightly on the skin beside the cup to let air in.
After the cups are removed, your practitioner will discuss any post-therapy care recommendations with you. It is common for cupping to leave temporary circular marks on the skin. These are not bruises in the traditional sense, but a natural response to the suction drawing stagnation to the surface. They typically fade within a few days to a week.
You may also be advised to drink adequate amounts of water following your session, avoid exposure to cold or wind on the treated area for a short period, and rest where possible.
At AcuHealth Therapies, cupping is always delivered as part of a personalised therapy plan tailored to your individual needs. Dr Sharlane Aldover has over 15 years of experience and is committed to providing professional, compassionate care in a welcoming and relaxed clinical environment.
We welcome patients from across Melbourne’s north-east, including Templestowe, Doncaster, Heidelberg, Bulleen, Donvale, Balwyn North and Viewbank.
To find out more about Cupping Therapy call us at the clinic on 0403 524 893
