Cupping

 Cupping was developed thousands of years ago as Traditional Chinese Medicine and uses small glass jars that utilize heat to suck out air and create a vacuum on the skin. The skin is pulled slightly up into the cup leaving a tight sensation that is relaxing and soothing. Cupping can be understood as the inverse of massage therapy, whereas rather than applying pressure to the muscles in massage, cupping uses suction to pull the skin, tissue, and muscles upward. 

 The pressure from the suction cups enhances circulation while relieving pain and removing toxins from the skin. The practitioner may leave the cups in one place or move them around. Cupping is an excellent treatment to use in conjunction with other services like massage therapy and acupuncture. This detoxifying treatment will leave marks ranging from a bright red to a dark purple color, similar to a bruise. A darker color indicates that more toxins were present in the area. These marks will last for a few days to a few weeks, depending on how deep the color. Please note that cupping is not recommended for patients who bleed easily, have skin ulcers, edema or pregnant women.