Chinese Fire Cupping Therapy

What is Cupping?

Cupping is a healing practice with roots in Traditional East Asian Medicine, and used in many cultures for centuries across the globe.

In my practice, I use fire cupping with thick glass cups—a method where a small flame is briefly introduced inside the cup to create suction before it is gently placed on your skin. This vacuum lifts the skin and fascia, increases circulation of Qi & Blood, and helps move stagnation—whether it's physical, emotional, or energetic.

Cupping can be deeply effective for many people—especially those dealing with chronic pain, tension or stagnation. It’s not just a trend; this practice has been used across cultures for thousands of years, and current research supports its benefits for conditions like back and neck pain, migraines, and even anxiety.¹

Many of my clients describe feeling lighter, more open, and grounded after a session. Whether you're seeking relief or simply want to move stuck energy, cupping can be a powerful part of your healing toolkit.

Cupping for Chronic Pain: An Updated Review. Journal of Pain, 2021.

What is Cupping used for?

Cupping is commonly used to:

  • Relieve muscle and joint pain, especially in the back, neck, shoulders, hips, and legs

  • Release built-up tension and repetitive strain from overwork or stress

  • Ease chronic tightness, headaches, migraines, and TMJ

  • Support respiratory issues like chest tightness, coughs, or colds

  • Move stagnant energy tied to grief, burnout, or emotional overwhelm

  • Support lymphatic flow and detoxification

  • Regulate the nervous system, especially for those stuck in “on” mode

It’s especially helpful for folks carrying a lot—physically, emotionally, or both.

Whether you’re in a caregiving role, organizing for change, living with grief or stress, or just plain worn out, cupping offers a safe way to invite ease.

What happens during cupping?

Depending on your needs, we work with a few techniques:

Stationary Cups: Left in one place to target specific areas of tightness, pain, or stagnation.

Sliding Cups: After applying holly oil, cups are gently glided along the skin to release tension and support fascia health.

Flash Cupping: Cups are applied and removed quickly in succession to stimulate qi and blood flow without leaving strong marks—great when you’re new to cupping or need a lighter treatment.

With Acupuncture or on it’s own

Cupping can be it’s own follow-up treatment, or folded into 75 or 90-minute acupuncture sessions for fuller support.

Will It Hurt?

Not usually. Most people describe cupping as a strong but satisfying pull that settles into deep relaxation. Some areas may feel more sensitive, especially where tension is concentrated, but I’ll always check in with you to make sure we adjust for comfort.

Afterward, you might notice round bruise-like marks where the cups were—these are normal, not painful, and usually fade within a few days. They're signs that circulation is moving and your body is releasing what it no longer needs.

Cupping marks can be dark, but aren’t painful. The different shades reflect what is happening in the body.

Cupping Is Ancestral Medicine

Cupping has a long lineage from across the globe. Historical evidence shows it was practiced in ancient Egypt, Greece, China, and Indigenous traditions around the world. Some of the earliest records come from the Ebers Papyrus (c. 1550 BCE), an Egyptian medical text describing cupping for pain and internal disorders. Cupping Therapy: Tracing the Roots of an Ancient Healing Practice offers a great overview of its global evolution.