Cupping

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"Cupping helps jumpstart the body’s natural healing process by increasing blood flow within the treatment area. This has the effect of speeding up the healing process and soothing sore joints and muscles.”

Joanne Hillyer

How Cupping Works

Cupping is usually incorporated into an acupuncture of bodywork treatment, but can be used alone. The practitioner takes a glass cup or bamboo jar, roughly the size of a jar of baby food, and ignites a small flame inside the cup, creating a vacuum. The cup is then quickly applied to the body, drawing the skin up a few millimeters into the cup. This suction stimulates the flow of blood, lymph, and Qi to the affected area. The suction can leave red marks on the skin that last a few days.
 
Each cupping session lasts approximately 10 to 15 minutes and it can be repeated, once the marks have cleared, until the condition is resolved.

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What's included in your session?

At Balance Art Acupuncture McLean, we provide a personalized and comfortable cupping therapy experience. Here’s what you can expect during your session:

Consultation:
Your session will begin with a brief consultation to understand your health concerns, medical history, and treatment goals. We’ll discuss any specific areas of discomfort or tension that you’d like to focus on during your cupping therapy.

Cupping Treatment:
The treatment involves placing special cups on your skin, usually on your back, shoulders, or other tense areas. These cups create gentle suction, which helps improve blood flow, relieve muscle tension, and promote healing. We may use stationary cupping, where the cups remain in place, or gliding cupping, where the cups are moved along your skin with oil to provide a more massage-like experience.

Post-Treatment Care:
After the cups are removed, we will offer guidance on how to care for the treated areas, such as staying hydrated, avoiding intense activity, and how to manage any temporary marks or mild soreness that may result from the session. These marks are usually painless and fade within a few days.

Recommendations for Future Sessions:
Based on your specific needs, we will recommend how often you should receive cupping therapy for the best results. Whether it’s for pain relief, stress reduction, or muscle recovery, we’ll tailor a plan to help you achieve your wellness goals.

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Gwenyth Paltrow - The Cupping Story

Cupping is a technique in which a glass cup or bamboo jar is suctioned onto the body and allowed to sit for about 10 minutes. Cupping stimulates the flow of blood, lymph, and Qi to the affected area; relieves swelling; and greatly enhances an acupuncture or electroacupuncture treatment. Its uses include relieving muscle pain, especially back pain from stiffness or injury; and clearing congestion in the chest, which can occur with common colds and influenza.

"It feels amazing and it's very relaxing, and it feels terrific," Paltrow told Winfrey. "It's just one of the alternative medicines that I do instead of taking antibiotics."

Gwyneth Paltrow, a longtime advocate of the benefits of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, once said that having acupuncture had guided her to a "new level" in life, helping her to find love with her husband and giving her the strength to cope with the death of her father.

"I have been a big fan of Chinese medicine for a long time because it works," Paltrow said.

What Cupping Treats:

Mental health

digestion

Chronic pain

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ongoing wellness

insomnia

FAQs

What is cupping therapy and how does it work?

Cupping therapy is an ancient treatment in which special cups are placed on the skin to create suction. This suction helps improve blood circulation, reduce muscle tension, and promote healing. The suction pulls the skin and underlying tissues slightly upwards, which stimulates the body’s natural healing processes, enhances blood flow, and removes toxins.

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What conditions can cupping therapy treat?

Cupping is used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain (such as back, neck, and shoulder pain), muscle tension, headaches, and stress-related symptoms. It can also be helpful for improving athletic performance and recovery from injuries.

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Does cupping therapy hurt?

Cupping therapy is generally not painful. You may feel a mild pulling sensation where the cups are applied, but this is typically not uncomfortable. After the treatment, it is common to have circular marks or slight bruising where the cups were placed, but these usually fade within a few days.

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Are there any side effects of cupping therapy?

The most common side effect is temporary bruising or red marks where the cups were placed, which typically last for a few days to a week. Some people may experience slight soreness or tenderness in the treated areas, but serious side effects are rare when cupping is performed by a trained professional.

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How long does a cupping session last?

A typical cupping session lasts between 5 and 30 minutes, depending on the specific treatment and condition being addressed. The cups may be placed for a few minutes or moved around in a technique known as "gliding cupping." The exact duration will depend on your practitioner’s assessment of your needs.

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How often should I receive cupping therapy?

The frequency of cupping therapy depends on the condition being treated and your personal needs. For acute issues, more frequent sessions (1-2 times per week) may be recommended initially. For general wellness or maintenance, monthly sessions may be enough to support your health and well-being. Your practitioner will guide you on the best plan for your individual case.


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If you’re suffering from a health condition that has been difficult to treat, call us for a consultation at 703-993-0809
The Balance Art Acupuncture McLean is conveniently located at:
1360 Beverly Rd Ste 201, McLean, VA 22101

"I am new to the art and theory of Acupuncture.. I desire a holistic approach to my health and I’m trying to minimize all the medication’s that I’ve been directed to take. Savanna has been so informative on every aspect of, explaining the different points in my body and how they can work together in a restorative process, I’m so thankful for this process and for Savannah."

"I am new to the art and theory of Acupuncture.. I desire a holistic approach to my health and I’m trying to minimize all the medication’s that I’ve been directed to take. Savanna has been so informative on every aspect of, explaining the different points in my body and how they can work together in a restorative process, I’m so thankful for this process and for Savannah."

Shoulder pain and Knee pain

"I recently had the privilege of visiting Dr Savannah, an extraordinary acupuncture doctor, and my experience with her was nothing short of remarkable. After suffering from persistent pain and discomfort in my right scapula area for nearly five years, I was astounded by the miraculous results she achieved in a short period of time. I am delighted to share my exceptional journey and highly recommend this location to everyone in need of compassionate care.
From the moment I stepped into the clinic, I was greeted with warmth and a genuine concern for my well-being. The staff members were attentive, friendly, and displayed a deep understanding of their patients' health and recovery processes."

"I recently had the privilege of visiting Dr Savannah, an extraordinary acupuncture doctor, and my experience with her was nothing short of remarkable. After suffering from persistent pain and discomfort in my right scapula area for nearly five years, I was astounded by the miraculous results she achieved in a short period of time. I am delighted to share my exceptional journey and highly recommend this location to everyone in need of compassionate care.
From the moment I stepped into the clinic, I was greeted with warmth and a genuine concern for my well-being. The staff members were attentive, friendly, and displayed a deep understanding of their patients' health and recovery processes."

Scapula pain

"I love working with Savannah. She is very intuitive! Her diagnosis is accurate and her treatment is also to the point. She could heal my many many issues in less than a year that doctors in USA could not for many many years. I feel calm, less stressed and sleep better as norm now. I am still working with her and seems acupuncture is part of my life now.
What sets this location apart is their unwavering commitment to the well-being of their patients. Dr Savannah exhibited an unparalleled level of care and compassion throughout my entire healing journey. She patiently listened to my concerns, thoroughly assessed my condition, and tailored her treatments to suit my specific needs. Her dedication to my recovery was evident in her unwavering determination to find the most effective solutions. I would highly recommend Dr Savannah and this center to anyone!"

"I love working with Savannah. She is very intuitive! Her diagnosis is accurate and her treatment is also to the point. She could heal my many many issues in less than a year that doctors in USA could not for many many years. I feel calm, less stressed and sleep better as norm now. I am still working with her and seems acupuncture is part of my life now.
What sets this location apart is their unwavering commitment to the well-being of their patients. Dr Savannah exhibited an unparalleled level of care and compassion throughout my entire healing journey. She patiently listened to my concerns, thoroughly assessed my condition, and tailored her treatments to suit my specific needs. Her dedication to my recovery was evident in her unwavering determination to find the most effective solutions. I would highly recommend Dr Savannah and this center to anyone!"

Ongoing wellness