Cupping
Some patterns of tension lodge themselves so deeply in the body’s tissues that needles alone do not fully reach them. The holding is too old, too layered, or too bound in the connective tissue between muscle groups. This is where cupping becomes useful.
Cupping is one of the oldest therapeutic tools in recorded medicine, documented in the Ebers Papyrus over three thousand years ago and practiced across ancient Egypt, Greece, the Middle East, and China. I have been using it since 2001, and it remains one of the most direct and effective tools I have for releasing what has settled deep in the body. The tools have evolved, but the underlying observation has not: creating suction at the surface moves what is stuck, relieves pain, and restores circulation.
In Chinese medicine, cupping addresses restriction in muscles and connective tissue, improves the movement of blood and fluids, and supports the body’s inherent capacity to recover, both from acute injury and from chronic patterns of tension that have settled in over time. I often use it alongside acupuncture to reach layers of holding that needles alone may not fully address.
How cupping works
Cupping creates suction that lifts the skin and the underlying fascia and muscle away from the structures beneath. This decompression draws blood and fluids toward the surface, stimulating local circulation and encouraging the release of tension that has accumulated in areas of chronic holding or injury.
The marks left by cupping range from faint pink to deep purple, depending on how much restriction is present. These are not bruises. There is no trauma to the tissue. What you are seeing is the release of accumulated stagnation, the body doing what it needs to do. Most people find this reassuring once they understand it. The marks typically fade within one to two weeks.
I work with cups of different sizes, which allows me to treat both large muscle groups and smaller, more precise areas. The choice of cup and technique depends on where we are working and what we are trying to accomplish.
Techniques
The most common approach is stationary cupping: placing cups on a targeted area and leaving them for several minutes. The suction lifts the tissue, encourages circulation, and allows deeper layers of restriction to begin releasing.
Gliding cupping uses oil on the skin so the cups can move across larger surface areas. This is particularly effective for the broad muscles of the back, shoulders, and legs, releasing tension not just in the muscle itself, but in the connective tissue layers that run between muscle groups. Many patients find gliding cupping deeply relaxing, with effects that extend well beyond the area being treated.
What it feels like
Cupping produces a gentle pulling or lifting sensation on the skin, quite different from the pressure of massage. Most people find it relaxing, sometimes profoundly so. The sensation of tissue being lifted and decompressed can feel like a release of something that has been held for a long time.
After treatment, circulation improves. Muscles feel looser. Joints move more freely. Some patients notice mild achiness in the treated area for a day or two, particularly after the first session or when significant restriction is present. This resolves quickly and is typically followed by a noticeable improvement in how the area feels and moves.
The research
A growing body of research supports cupping’s clinical effectiveness. Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials have documented its benefits for chronic neck and back pain, shoulder pain, and headache. Research has also explored its use in supportive cancer care, where it has shown promise in managing chemotherapy-related fatigue and improving quality of life alongside conventional treatment.
When cupping is used
Cupping is not part of every treatment plan. I choose it when your presentation suggests that releasing tension, moving stagnation, or improving circulation will support meaningful progress. It tends to be most useful when muscles are bound and unresponsive, when pain has a heavy, fixed quality, or when the body needs help shifting out of a pattern it has been holding for a long time. It is also valuable in recovery from acute injury, where improving circulation to the affected area can accelerate the healing process.
Cupping as part of your care
Cupping is one of several tools I use to support steady, measurable progress. It is applied thoughtfully in response to the areas of your body that need attention. The focus is on outcomes that last, not temporary relief.
Care remains individualized. Treatments evolve as your body does. Each session builds on the one before it.
To explore whether cupping belongs in your plan, your first visit is the place to start.