Services
Cupping and gua sha, side by side
Two hands-on methods for the back, neck and shoulders. Both can leave marks, and the marks fade.
Cupping sets glass cups on the skin and draws it gently upward. Gua sha strokes a smooth stone over oiled skin until a pink flush appears. We use them alone or after acupuncture, and only on the back, shoulders, neck and legs, never on the face.
How they compare
Cupping
A few glass cups warmed or pumped to create light suction, left in place for about five to ten minutes.
Feels like a firm pull, sometimes warm
Leaves faint round marks, red to purple
Marks fade over days
Skip it over sunburn, broken skin or a rash
Gua sha
A smooth stone drawn in short strokes over oiled skin, a few minutes on each area.
Feels like firm rubbing, sometimes a little tender
Leaves a pink or red flush in streaks
Flush fades over a few days
Skip it over broken skin, a rash or a recent injury
The marks
What they look like, and when to call us
Faint circles after cupping and a pink flush after gua sha are common. They are not the same as the bruise from a fall, and they usually fade within days.
Marks that are dark, painful, blistered or still there after two weeks are not what we expect, so call us. Tell your acupuncturist before the visit if you bruise easily or take a blood thinner, and we will use lighter pressure or skip it. Wear something loose that you do not mind showing a mark, and we drape you for privacy.
Tell us first
Tell us before cupping or gua sha if any of these apply:
- You are pregnant or might be.
- You take a blood thinner, or you bleed or bruise easily.
- You have a pacemaker or another implanted device.
- You have had lymph nodes removed from the area.
- You have a skin condition, a rash or sunburn where we would work.
- You are afraid of marks or of needles.
What it doesn't do, and when to see a doctor instead
Cupping and gua sha do not replace your doctor or your medicines, and they cannot diagnose anything. A lump, a swelling, a fever, new numbness, sudden severe pain or a mark you cannot explain is a reason to see your doctor first. For chest pain or trouble breathing, call 911.
Ask us about marks before you book
Our front desk can tell you what to wear and what to expect before you come in.