What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping Therapy is an ancient, alternative medicine practice that dates back to ancient Egypt and China, and today is primarily used to support pain management, treat inflammation, and enhance detox through lymphatic drainage + increased blood flow. Additional benefits include relaxation and deep tissue massage.

Qi Fire Cupping uses glass, silicone, and plastic vacuum cups that are placed on a patient’s skin using suction. The placement of the cups corresponds to specific points in targeted muscle groups that are being treated. Through this process soft tissues, the lymphatic system, and blood flow are revitalized, to release tension + restore flexibility to the respective area.

Recently, Western practitioners have embraced the traditional practice of cupping therapy, especially to enhance recovery and performance in professional athletes. Recent studies have shown cupping therapy (aka myofacial decompression or MFD) to be one of the most effective methods for releasing fascia from the muscle, compared to more mainstream methods, such as physiotape and foam rollers - demonstrating optimized improvements in flexibility and mobility.

common list of benefits from cupping therapy:

• Muscle relaxation

• Relief from mental and physical stress/tension in the head, neck, rotator cuff, upper + lower back, hamstrings, sciatic nerve, and carpal tunnel

• Enhanced healing post-injury

• Increased range of motion + decreased discomfort

• Muscle strain prevention following regular cupping therapy sessions

• Immune system boost

• Detox