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Where there is stagnation, there will be pain. Remove the stagnation, and you remove the pain.
Based on this philosophy, cupping therapy is used to help remove obstruction in the body and promote healing and recovery.
Cupping therapy is a technique where local suction is applied to the skin and muscles by placing cups (usually made of glass) onto specific areas of the body. At AcuHealth Therapies, Dr Sharlane Aldover has over 15 years experience utilising cupping therapy as part of tailored Chinese medicine treatment plans.
Cupping therapy is commonly utilised by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine. At our clinic, we include cupping therapy as a key component in acupuncture treatment plans for patients in Melbourne that are managing conditions such as:
The philosophy of cupping therapy is based on the belief that the suction effect it creates may help to maximise blood flow, boost immune function, help to remove toxins from the body and assist with pain reduction.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, cupping therapy helps to facilitate the flow of qi (pronounced chi) throughout the body and remove obstructions. Qi is considered to be the energy force that flows within the body.
Traditional Chinese medicine proponents believe that cupping therapy can help to balance the yin and yang within the body and restore balance
Cupping therapy is thought to increase blood circulation and relieve muscle tension while improving blood flow and promoting cell repair
Research into cupping therapy is growing and recent studies have looked at potential benefits.
A 2023 study concluded that “cupping therapy appears to be a promising treatment modality for various pain-related disorders. It is effective in the treatment of chronic pain, knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, neck pain and chronic back pain… However, to strengthen these findings, more high-quality clinical studies are needed to obtain a higher level of evidence.”
Research conducted in 2018 outlined that cupping therapy may “induce comfort and relaxation on a systematic level and the resulting increase in endogenous opioid production in the brain leads to improved pain control.” It also reviewed the potential for cupping therapy to “remove noxious materials from skin microcirculation and interstitial compartment.” This research also concluded that further research is required to verify these theories.
At AcuHealth Therapies we often use cupping therapy as part of an acupuncture treatment. Dr Sharlane may recommend cupping therapy as part of the consultation process or as part of her ongoing evaluation of your symptoms.
Cupping therapy involves placing cups into the skin that creates a gentle sensation of suction on the skin. Most patients that undertake the treatment describe it as a unique but relaxing experience as muscular tension is released. Treatments last between 20-30 minutes.
After a cupping therapy session your skin may turn red and light bruising may appear as circular cupping marks on the body. These marks are a result of the cupping process as the suction brings blood to the skin’s surface. These marks fade within 1-2 weeks and are generally painless.
In most cases cups are placed on areas of the back, shoulders, abdomen and legs. Generally, the back is the most common area that is treated.
Prior to placing the cups on the body, the cups are heated with fire. The fire source is then removed and the heated cup is placed on specific areas of the skin. When the heated cup is placed on the skin, the air inside the cup cools and creates a vacuum that draws the skins and muscles upward into the cup.
Cupping therapy is considered to be safe when it is administered by a trained and qualified healthcare professional. In Australia, Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine practitioners are regulated by AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).
If cupping therapy is administered by an experienced and registered practitioner such as a registered acupuncturist, then the therapy should be generally painless. When the cups are placed on the body, patients should feel a gentle sensation of suction. Some patients describe the experience as enjoyable and relaxing.
A cupping therapy session goes for 20-30 minutes. At AcuHealth Therapies we regularly incorporate cupping therapy into an acupuncture therapy session and in that case the session would be 1 hour. When adding cupping therapy to an acupuncture therapy session there is no additional charge for the cupping.
After a cupping therapy session it is common for your skin to turn red and for light bruising marks to appear on the body where the cups were placed. These marks are a result of the suction effect as the vacuum created by the cupping draws blood to the skin’s surface. These cupping marks should fade within 1-2 weeks and are generally painless.
At AcuHealth Therapies we include cupping therapy for patients that are managing conditions such as: back, shoulder and neck pain, calf pain, muscle soreness and poor blood circulation.
Yes, at our clinic we do combine acupuncture and cupping therapy. Cupping therapy may be included into an acupuncture therapy session if the practitioner recommends it.
You should avoid cupping therapy if you have a blood disorder or are taking blood thinning medication. Please discuss your health history and current circumstances with a registered Chinese Medicine practitioner prior to undertaking any cupping therapy.
This depends on the condition that you are managing and what the practitioner recommends during consultation. For some patients regular cupping sessions may be beneficial or a one-off treatment may be sufficient.
To find out more about Cupping Therapy in Melbourne contact us at the clinic.
