Cupping
Cupping is an ancient modality in Chinese medicine, that’s been used for thousands of years with the earliest records dating back to the fourth century. It gained recent popularity during the 2016 Olympics when athletes, such as Michael Phelps, would appear with cupping marks at competitions. Cupping promotes increased circulation and helps to alleviate pain that occurs as a result of stagnation. It also helps to open the pores and release toxins from the body. The cups can be applied to specific areas of the body such as the back, shoulder, hips or legs. While cupping can be a beneficial treatment on its own, it is a great complimentary therapy to an acupuncture treatment.
* Individual results vary. No guarantee of specific results is warranted or implied and your results will depend on many factors (full disclaimer).
Cupping FAQ
What is cupping?
Cupping is a form of therapy in East Asian medicine that originated from China thousands of years ago. While cups used to be made of hollowed-out animal horns, today they are made of thick glass, plastic, or silicone. An acupuncturist uses cupping as a form of decompressive therapy to promote microcirculation to help alleviate pain, remove toxins from the body, break up obstruction, and to diagnose a patient’s condition based on the color and location of the cupping marks.
How does cupping work?
A vacuum is created either by placing a lit cotton ball that has been soaked in alcohol inside a glass cup and onto the skin or by using a suction pump to draw the air out of a specialty designed glass or plastic cup. Silicone cups can be used by squeezing them as they are placed against the skin to release air and create suction. The suction created is a form of decompressive therapy that promotes microcirculation allowing blood and lymph to flow more freely through the vessels. The type of cup selected is often based on an acupuncturist’s experience, therapeutic goals for a patient, and area being treated.
What are the benefits of cupping?
By promoting circulation, cupping is most commonly used to help alleviate pain, which occurs as a result of stagnation. Cupping also helps to release toxins from the body. It is also effective for alleviating cold, cough, asthma, and allergy symptoms. Since it helps to alleviate tension and stiffness, it is beneficial at promoting relaxation as well.
Where are the cups placed?
Cups are often used along areas that flatter with more flesh such as the back, shoulders, hips, and legs. An area is chosen based on a patient’s presenting symptoms to promote circulation in that area and extract toxins. The cups can be kept stationary at specific areas, placed on and taken off the skin quickly, or moved along certain areas by first applying massage oil or lotion to allow them to slide in specific directions and areas of the body. Techniques that are used are based on therapeutic goals and experience of the acupuncturist. There is an added benefit of placing cups on the back along either side of the spine to affect the body’s longest channel that is linked to each of the organs. By placing cups on the back, an acupuncturist can diagnose and assess a patient’s condition by the location and color of the marks.
Are the marks left by cupping bruises?
The marks are not bruises. This is a form of what is referred to as sha in Chinese medicine. They can vary in color from pink to red to brown to purple, depending on how long it has been collecting in an area and the underlying pathogen according to East Asian medical theory. The color and location can be of diagnostic use to an acupuncturist. Not all cups leave marks on the skin. The amount of time a cupping mark remains on the body can vary greatly from days to weeks. The marks often last between 3-7 days, in rare instances lasting longer than a week.
Does cupping hurt?
Cupping is often described as, “interesting”. For many patient, the cups are comfortable and their favorite part of an acupuncture treatment. Some patients may find them slightly uncomfortable while they’re on but feel the benefits after they are removed. Cups are normally left of for 5-15 minutes.
How can I learn more about how cupping can help me?
You can contact us at info@karmazenacupuncture.com or 512-766-3049. You can also go to our online scheduler to book a FREE consultation and learn how cupping can benefit you and help with your current problem. Dr. Katrina Giangarra, D.A.C.M., L.Ac., Dipl. O.M., can assess your condition and formulate a treatment plan specific to your needs. She can answer any questions and go over any concerns that you may have.
Your initial consultation is free. Come meet us in person and learn more.
Or, just call 512-766-3049 and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.
Read more about: Our Philosophy | Our History | Our Awesome Staff | Testimonials and Success Stories
* Individual results vary. No guarantee of specific results is warranted or implied and your results will depend on many factors (full disclaimer).
How can we help YOU today?
Chronic Pain
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Your initial consultation is free. Come meet us in person and learn more.
Or, just call 512-766-3049 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
Read more about: Our Philosophy | Our History | Our Awesome Staff | Testimonials and Success Stories
* Individual results vary. No guarantee of specific results is warranted or implied and your results will depend on many factors (full disclaimer).
Your initial consultation is free. Talk with our Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to learn more.
Or, just call 512-766-3049 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
Read more about: Our Philosophy | Our History | Our Awesome Staff | Testimonials and Success Stories
* Individual results vary. No guarantee of specific results is warranted or implied and your results will depend on many factors (full disclaimer).
THIS STUFF WORKS.
Our unique blend of holistic medical therapies gets ALL your body's healing resources going in the same direction...
Acupuncture
Calms stress, clears neuroendocrine pathways, affects neurotransmitters, and promotes circulation.
Cupping
Promotes microcirculation, relieves tension, and helps release toxins.
Herbal Therapy
Transmits nature’s intelligence to heal damaged cells and tissues.
Gua Sha
Breaks up scar tissue and connective tissue, reduces inflammation, and improves circulation.
Moxibustion
Promotes circulation, alleviates tension, and helps reduce inflammation and swelling.
Relaxation & Stress Reduction 
Focus on calming the mind and emotions to maximize your body’s healing resources.
Your initial consultation is free. Talk with our Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to learn more.
Or, just call 512-766-3049 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
Read more about: Our Philosophy | Our History | Our Awesome Staff | Testimonials and Success Stories
* Individual results vary. No guarantee of specific results is warranted or implied and your results will depend on many factors (full disclaimer).
OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF IS PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT WE DO
You'll always feel welcome and cared for here.
Dr. Katrina Giangarra, DACM, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.
Licensed Acupuncturist, Founder, & Clinic Director
Isabella (aka Izzy, aka Fluff Nugget) Giangarra
3rd Unofficial Mascot
Calliope (aka Callie) Giangarra
Unofficial Mascot
Esme (aka Ezzy or Ezzers) Giangarra
2nd Unofficial Mascot
Your initial consultation is free. Talk with our Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to learn more.
Or, just call 512-766-3049 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
Read more about: Our Philosophy | Our History | Our Awesome Staff | Testimonials and Success Stories
* Individual results vary. No guarantee of specific results is warranted or implied and your results will depend on many factors (full disclaimer).
Located in Spicewood
Karma Zen Acupuncture is located in a serene spot off of Highway-71 in the Bee Creek Business Park as part of the Bee Creek Clinic. Whether you live locally in Spicewood or in the surrounding areas of Briarcliff, Marble Falls, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Austin, or Dripping Springs, we are happy to provide a peaceful and relaxing environment as we help you on your path to better health. The location is a hidden gem as it’s great for those locally, not wanting to travel far, and for those wanting to escape from the more chaotic and busier areas.
Your initial consultation is free. Talk with our Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to learn more.
Or, just call 512-766-3049 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
Read more about: Our Philosophy | Our History | Our Awesome Staff | Testimonials and Success Stories
* Individual results vary. No guarantee of specific results is warranted or implied and your results will depend on many factors (full disclaimer).
