Be Well: Your Top Ten Questions about Cupping Therapy, Answered

MSP Mag | February 15, 2019

What does it treat? Is it safe? Does it hurt? Mpls.St.Paul Magazine asked experts at NWHSU to break down the basics of this skin-suctioning therapy—and why it’s more than a buzzy wellness trend.

There’s a reason why you haven’t stopped hearing about cupping: it’s had a place in the medicinal arsenal of both Eastern and Western cultures since Hippocrates touted it as the be-all, end-all remedy for just about every disease out there. As more celebs, pro athletes, and everyday humans don their circle bruises, you may be intrigued by the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment but don’t want to take the leap … yet. Greta Jeffrey, licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) for Northwestern Health Sciences University, has your back (literally): here, her most frequently asked questions to give you the answers you need.

Is cupping therapy painful?
This is a common question and my answer is: no, not really. The cups are applied pretty tight for stationary cupping, therefore they can create a suction-like feel—think of it as if you were to apply the hose of a running vacuum to your skin.

We also do a sliding or moving form of cupping. This is where we apply oil to the skin, and then we place the cups and move them around while they still have suction to your skin. This form of cupping can sometimes be a bit more uncomfortable for patients, but it’s a quick treatment and very effective for releasing fascia [the sheet of connective tissue beneath the skin]. The most painless form of cupping is called “twinkle” or “pop” cupping. It can be performed with or without any suction to the skin. The cup is pressed on to the skin and quickly removed with a slight twist action to create a “pop” sound. This is done repetitively for a few minutes.

Read the full article from Mpls.St.Paul Magazine here.