Cupping Therapy in Colorado Springs
Cupping is available on its own or included with any acupuncture visit.
What Is Cupping?
Cupping uses gentle suction to lift and relax tight muscles and soft tissue. Glass or silicone cups create a vacuum against the skin and are either held in place or gently glided across the area. Most patients describe the feeling as a deep pulling or stretching sensation. Cups are usually left in place for 5 to 15 minutes.
Cupping is one of the oldest healing practices in the world and has been used for centuries across Chinese, Middle Eastern, and European traditions. Today it is one of the most common techniques used by acupuncturists and massage therapists.
Wet Cupping
We also offer wet cupping. The skin is first lanced with a sterile, single-use lancet, and a cup is then placed over the area to draw out a small amount of blood, from a few drops up to about a teaspoon. Wet cupping is offered when appropriate for your treatment plan, and we will discuss it with you before we begin.
Why Patients Choose Cupping
Patients often seek cupping for muscle tension and tightness, especially in the neck, shoulders, and back, and as a complement to acupuncture for pain and stress-related tension.
About Cupping Marks
Cupping often leaves round, temporary marks on the skin. These marks come from suction drawing blood toward the surface, not from injury or impact, and they are usually painless, unlike a typical bruise. Their color can range from light pink to dark purple and varies from person to person and from session to session. Most marks fade within several days to about two weeks.
Because cupping marks can look unusual to someone who has not seen them before, let your other healthcare providers know you have had cupping. If you have a special event coming up, such as a wedding, photo shoot, or vacation, let us know so cups can be placed with that in mind.
Before Your Session, Let Us Know If You
Take blood thinners, such as aspirin, warfarin, apixaban, or rivaroxaban, or supplements such as fish oil or vitamin E
Bruise easily or have a bleeding disorder
Have anemia, diabetes, a weakened immune system, or a condition that slows healing
Are pregnant or may be pregnant
Have eczema, psoriasis, a rash, sunburn, or broken skin in the treatment area
These are especially important if wet cupping is part of your treatment, since it involves a small amount of bleeding.
After Your Session
Keep the treated area covered and warm, and avoid intense exercise, saunas, and hot tubs for the rest of the day. If you had wet cupping, also keep the lanced areas clean until they heal.
Contact us if a mark keeps growing, or if you notice redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage that gets worse.
Pricing
Standalone cupping session (30 min): $45
Included at no additional charge with any acupuncture visit