Services
Cupping and Gua Sha
Cupping uses suction to lift the tissue and draw stagnant blood toward the surface, where the body can clear it. Gua sha uses a smooth-edged tool stroked along the skin to release the same stagnation along the channels.
How they work
Both are quick, and both are usually the treatments patients feel most immediately.
What they treat
- Stubborn neck, shoulder and upper back tension
- Tightness that returns within days of every massage
- The heavy, foggy feeling associated with internal damp
- The early stage of a cold, with a stiff neck and chills
- Muscle soreness after exertion
- Tension headaches
About the marks
Cupping leaves round marks that fade over several days. They are not bruises. Nothing has been struck or damaged. The marks are stagnant blood drawn to the surface.
Darker marks usually indicate more stagnation in that area, and they tend to get lighter over a course of treatment as the area clears. If you have an event coming up, tell us and we will work around it.
Safety and limits: We avoid cupping and gua sha over broken or inflamed skin, recent injuries, and areas with significant varicose veins. Technique is modified for pregnancy, blood thinners and bleeding disorders. Let us know what applies to you.
Book an appointment
New patients start with a consultation. See our Fees page for current fees.