Cupping therapy for health and wellness.

Dr. Gough is certified in all forms of cupping therapy and is a member of the International Cupping Therapy Association.

What is cupping?

Cupping is a form of alternative therapy by which cups are placed on the skin to create suction. It’s a treatment that releases stagnation, pain, and discomfort from the body as well as softens tight muscles and joints. The feeling of wellbeing, the looseness of the body and higher levels of energy makes it a favored healing method to treat and prevent.

What are the Benefits of Cupping?

• Draining excess fluid
• Releasing rigid soft tissues
• Delivering blood flow to blocked muscles and skin
• Draining toxins and pathogens
• Lifting connective tissue
• Loosening adhesions
• Relief from short and long term inflammation
• Promotion of lymphatic circulation
• Strengthening of the immune system
• Muscle and connective tissues are stretched
• Benefit Arthritis, joint pain, muscle pain and stiffness
• Releases stress
• Deep tissue relief
• Breaking up and expelling congestion
• Stimulation of blood movement systemically and locally
• Cleans the blood and lymph
• Helping to balance pH levels

Where is cupping done?

Usually applied on the cervical area (neck), shoulders, middle and lower back. Various sized cups can also be placed on the acupuncture points such as the chest, the abdomen (very good for digestive problems), bowel movement, and buttocks (Sciatic pain), inner and outer thighs (cellulite). A sliding cupping massage can be applied all over the back and abdomen using oils.

How does it make you feel?

The therapy feels comfortable with an intense yet gentle suction. Our body just removes inflammatory components and frees up the tension in the area. The sensation afterwards is really pleasant.

There are seldom side effects, but these are minimal and to be expected. Avoiding strenuous activity, cold weather and hot environments for about six hours after a treatment will help to keep detoxification effects to the minimum. Some stretching (where appropriate) of the affected area will encourage the therapeutic outcome. It is not uncommon for a person to experience sore skin and some discoloration following a treatment, which is actually expected and desirable. Having these discolorations is a sign that the treatment was successful, but also the color of the discoloration has diagnostic value as well as effectiveness rate. It usually signifies the state of the blood, inflammatory implications and signs of weakness or excess on a constitutional level. The distinctive discolorations may looks painful, but it is not and will fade on its own. The discoloration is due to stagnant blood, toxins, and fluid being brought to the surface so that the body can eliminate it. If the discoloration is a concern an application of biofreeze will help fade the mark much quicker.