Cupping

Cupping is an ancient and effective therapy designed to release deep muscle tension, relieve pain, and improve circulation. It is an excellent treatment for athletes, those with chronic knots and tightness, or anyone seeking profound relief from physical strain.

I practice the traditional art of fire cupping, which uses glass cups to create a therapeutic suction on the skin. It’s important to know that a flame is used only to create the vacuum inside the cup and never touches your body. The sensation is a gentle-to-firm pulling that works to lift and separate underlying tissues, encouraging release.

This suction draws increased blood flow to the area, which helps to reduce inflammation, release adhesions (knots), and activate the body's natural healing process. This process may leave temporary, circular marks on the skin, which are a normal sign of increased circulation and the release of stagnation in the muscle tissue. They are not bruises and typically fade within a few days.

Depending on your needs, the cups may be left stationary on a specific trigger point or, with the use of lotion, glided across larger muscle groups. This technique, called "moving cupping," feels similar to a deep-tissue massage and provides relief to a broader area.