Cupping Therapy: Pulling Tension Out, Not Just Pushing It Around

Most bodywork pushes into tight tissue. Cupping does the opposite — it lifts and decompresses, pulling blood flow into an area that's been stuck or stagnant. I use it a lot alongside acupuncture, especially for patients dealing with deep muscle tension or pain that hasn't responded well to pressure-based work alone.

What Is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping uses suction — created with glass, silicone, or plastic cups placed on the skin — to lift the tissue underneath rather than compress it. This draws blood flow to the area, helps release tight fascia and muscle, and can leave behind the temporary circular marks people often associate with cupping. Those marks aren't bruises in the typical sense — they're a sign that stagnant blood and fluid are moving, and they usually fade within a few days.

Why I Use It

Some restrictions respond better to being pulled than pushed. Cupping reaches tightness that's harder to access with direct pressure, and it's especially useful for:

• Deep muscle tension that hasn't responded to other bodywork

• Back and shoulder pain

• Restricted areas where blood flow seems "stuck"

• Recovery from sports injuries or overuse

What to Expect

The cups stay in place for a few minutes while you feel a pulling, lifting sensation — not painful, but distinct. Afterward, it's common to see circular discoloration where the cups were. This typically fades in 3–7 days and isn't an indication of injury, just increased blood flow to tissue that needed it.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does cupping hurt? No — it's a pulling sensation rather than pressure or pain. Some areas feel more intense than others depending on how restricted the tissue is.

• Why do I have marks after cupping? The marks show where stagnant blood and fluid were drawn to the surface. They're not bruises from injury — they fade on their own, usually within a week.

• Can I combine cupping with acupuncture in the same session? Yes — many patients get both in the same visit, depending on what your body needs that day.

• Is it covered by insurance? We're out of network with insurance, but provide a superbill with all necessary codes so you can submit for reimbursement yourself. We also take HSA cards.