Cupping
Chinese Cupping Melbourne
Experience The Benefits of Cupping Therapy at our Melbourne Clinic
Cupping therapy can be used in conjunction with acupuncture and herbal medicine or as a stand-alone treatment. The Which Doctor believes in combining the wisdom of the east and the science of the west to help support you on your health journey. During our extensive questioning, our practitioners will determine whether cupping is an appropriate addition to your treatment plan.
What is Cupping?
Chinese Cupping Therapy has been used for centuries. It is an interesting aspect of Chinese Medicine that is used for both musculoskeletal conditions and underlying imbalances. Cupping is an ancient traditional method of pulling stagnation out of the body, helping to release toxins from your body’s tissues and increase circulation.
Cupping is not designed to be a painful experience. It is a holistic approach that has been used by different eastern and western cultures, releasing many benefits for the body and mind. The aim is to draw stagnant Qi to the surface, and increase the body’s natural defence mechanisms to promote healing and wellness in general.
How Does Cupping Work?
The cupping utensils that we use at The Which Doctor can be plastic, glass, bamboo or silicon. The suction applied by the cups is done either with a hand-held suction pump or fire. This creates a vacuum that gently sucks the skin and muscle layer up into the cup creating a tight seal.
During your cupping therapy, cups are mostly used on the back and gluteus muscles. However, cups may be applied on other areas of the body. Secondary to stationary cupping there is also a process called ‘gliding cupping’ which involves moving the cup up and down a muscle line to intensify the treatment.
Is Cupping Painful?
For most people, cupping is considered a painless experience but some people may experience differing levels of discomfort. This may depend on their skin type, sensitivity level, stress levels, muscle tension and current medications. Different levels of intensity are felt by different people so our practitioners will always make sure you are comfortable.
If needed, the level of suction from the cupping can be adjusted in your treatment. It is common to experience cupping marks or bruises after your treatment. These normally recede after a few days but if they persist for over a week or you are experiencing any lingering pain or discomfort please contact us for advice.
Is Cupping Safe?
Cupping is generally considered safe when applied by a trained practitioner however there may occasionally be minimal side effects like bruising and discomfort.
Prior to having your cupping treatment at The Which Doctor, we will assess whether this type of therapy is suitable for you. Cupping may not be appropriate in some cases such as during pregnancy, for people who have sensitive skin, and people with bleeding disorders. Cupping is also not recommended for people who are taking blood thinners, and should not be performed over areas with varicose veins, active skin infections, or broken skin.
Cupping may be deemed more appropriate for supporting some conditions over others. We might even suggest that cupping therapy is used in conjunction with other forms of Chinese Medicine Treatments such as Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs.
What are the Benefits of Cupping?
Cupping is used for a variety of health conditions. Please check with your practitioner to see if cupping is right for you
When Should I Have Cupping Therapy?
Chinese Cupping Therapy in Melbourne can be done as a stand-alone therapy or as a supplementary treatment. Cupping is most commonly used to help support musculoskeletal conditions including pain and stiffness.
Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners may also use certain forms of cupping to support specific digestive and gynaecological conditions based on the ancient theory of Fire Cupping.
When combined with acupuncture, cupping therapy has been shown to provide benefits for up to six months after the treatment.
What Should I Expect During a Cupping Treatment?
Cupping therapy induces a mild local suction on the skin with glass, bamboo or silicone cups. This is done by placing the cup over an acupoint and creating a vacuum inside the cup to draw that tissue into the cup. Cupping can also create negative pressure which stretches muscles and pulls them into the cups.
Depending on your level of sensitivity, you may experience some mild discomfort, similar to a deep tissue massage. The cupping treatment may leave a purplish bruise that can last a couple of days following treatment, depending on your level of muscle tension.
In many cases when using Chinese Cupping Therapy, any air in the cup will be drawn out by creating a vacuum. This normally causes a popping sound just before the cup is placed on the skin.
Book for Your Melbourne Cupping Treatment
Dr Chloe Stubberfield (Doctor of Chinese Medicine) has been providing cupping therapy to Melbourne for 10 years. We provide you with a safe, soothing environment for your treatments so that you can relax and enjoy the many benefits to your health and wellbeing.
If you’re ready to book your Melbourne Cupping Treatment, then contact our friendly team today to make an appointment.
Our practitioners are highly-trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and will work with you to receive personalised advice and treatment so that you can make better-informed decisions about your health goals.
We use a holistic approach when assessing your treatment plan, and in certain situations, we may recommend certain blood scans or tests. This allows our practitioners to identify underlying causes for your symptoms and to recommend the most appropriate approach for your TCM therapy.
