Cupping

What is it?

Cupping has been growing in popularity thanks to celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow and athletes like Michael Phelps. Its practice is nothing new, however, and dates back all the way to 1,550 B.C., when it was cited by the Egyptians in one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, Ebers Papyrus.

A staple of traditional Chinese medicine, cupping became an official therapeutic practice at Chinese hospitals after research confirmed its effectiveness in the 1950s. It can be used in conjunction with your acupuncture or as a standalone treatment.

How does it work?

Cupping therapy creates a vacuum in the cup placed on the skin over the targeted area. The suction draws stagnant blood to the surface of the skin and improves blood circulation through the tissues. 

Similar to acupuncture, cupping follows the lines of the meridians on the back parts of the body. Cups are placed on specific target areas to open up any blockages, eliminate toxins and improve circulation. Dubbed an inverted massage, it’s also one of the best deep tissue treatments available, reaching tissue up to four inches past the surface of the skin.

What does it treat?

It all depends on the severity of symptoms. In the beginning of your acupuncture treatment, you’ll typically go twice a week for the first two weeks. Then it tapers off into once a week sessions for the next month or so and then patients come as needed. Each session builds upon the last and treating one condition often has ancillary health benefits as your body recalibrates.

What can I expect in my treatment?

At South Philadelphia Community Acupuncture, we do suction gun cupping with plastic cups. The cup is placed on top of the targeted area, air is pulled up through the top of the cup and the suction pulls up the skin and muscle layer, bringing a fresh flow of qi and blood that circulates more nutrients and oxygen to the target area.

How much does it cost?

Cupping falls under our Acupuncture services.