Cupping Therapy, along with Moxibustion are treatments preformed with acupuncture to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. Cupping Therapy is a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, an established medical system from the East with a 2,500 year history.
There are two methods of Cupping Therapy, known as Dry or Fire Cupping and Wet Cupping used in conjunction with blood-letting procedure. The Fire Cupping with traditional glass cups is the preferred clinical method whereas the plastic cup set with hand-pump evacuation method is designed for home application.
During Cupping Therapy, the skin under the cups is drawn-up, the blood vessels at the surface of the skin expand. This results in small, circular bruises on the areas where the cups were applied as seen at the 2016 Olympic Games amongst various athletes. It is said to cause tissues to release toxins, activate the lymphatic system, clear colon blockages, help activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, activate the skin and improve vascular circulation. These bruises or cupping mark, is painless and disappear in several days after treatment.
Again, it is important to emphasize that Cupping Therapy is not a stand-alone treatment procedure. It is used together with acupuncture and serves to open the meridian pathways to the movement of Qi & Blood flow which is necessary to maintain health.
In this sense, Cupping Therapy has the function of warming and promoting the free flow of Qi and Blood in the meridians, dispelling cold and dampness, diminishing swelling and pain within the more superficial layers of the meridian pathways. The clinical application of Cupping Therapy is used to treat pain syndromes such as shoulder girdle, neck, back and extremities, gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders.
At the High Tech Physiotherapy, both Traditional Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion as well as Cupping Therapy are offered to address a comprehensive list of conditions presented to Physiotherapy practice such as; shoulder, neck, back, elbow, knee, hip, ankle pain and other pain related syndromes. These treatments are offered under the scope of physiotherapy practice and are billed as physiotherapy services, not acupuncture. We do not provide treatment for fertility, gastrointestinal or other systemic issues.