What do Egyptian pharaohs, Italian grandmothers, the ancient Greeks, and Gwyneth Paltrow have in common? They all have trusted the healing properties of cupping therapy. Although cupping is perhaps most commonly associated with Chinese medicine, it’s a practice that has roots all over the world, dating back thousands of years. I remember my Eastern European grandparents coming to this country with their set of bankes (cups), which I use in my practice to this day.

Generally, cupping is most often used to relieve congestion, inflammation, or poor circulation. The practitioner creates suction either with a plunger, or with flame held briefly to the cup rim, and applies cups to the affected area (watch a session here).  In the case of poor circulation, the suction draws areas of microclotting to the skin surface and promotes better circulation throughout the deeper tissues. I have successfully cupped patients with asthma, muscle aches and spasm, arthritis, even digestive problems. 

So how does it feel? One patient with fibromyalgia whom I see regularly describes it as “a deep-tissue massage, like someone is accessing that soreness between my shoulders and massaging it away. It’s deeply relaxing, and I can feel my body detoxing.”

Anyone with circulation issues should check with their physician before pursuing cupping therapy, and pregnant women should avoid it completely. But the rest of us could learn a thing or two from our grandparents.