Cupping, Gua Sha & Moxa

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WHAT IS CUPPING?

Although less well-known than acupuncture, cupping is an effective and healing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy. Cupping is the use of glass, silicone, or bamboo cups, placed upside down and safely adhered to specific areas of the skin using an air vacuum. Cupping is almost like a massage in reverse: instead of pushing down, tissue pulled up, releasing tension. Cupping impacts the skin, muscles, and soft tissues. These type of therapy helps relieve many health issues, including chronic pain, common colds and sore muscles. 

 

Cupping treatment may involve leaving the cups stationary for about five or 10 minutes, “flash” cupping (also known as “jumping” cups), where they are quickly adhered and then removed again, or sliding the cups around the affected area. The technique used will depend on what exactly you are being treated for that day. 

 

Cupping has very limited side effects. Cupping often causes temporary marks on the skin-- you may have seen professional athletes like the swimmer Michael Phelps at the 2016 Olympics with these round marks on his back! These marks typically last just a few days but can remain for two or three weeks. In rare cases, cupping may cause pain, swelling, sweating, nausea, or dizziness. Scars or burns are even more rare, but possible.

 

Cupping is not suitable for every person. If you recently had surgery, are pregnant, taking blood thinners, have a blood clotting disorder, have deep vein thrombosis, have a skin infection or wound that isn’t healed, or a serious health condition (like cancer, organ failure, edema, heart disease), this technique may not be right for you.

 

For the next two days after your cupping treatment: 

• Keep the area of your body covered for at least the next day, preferably until the marks fade. This protects the skin from the sun, cold and wind

• Stay hydrated, eat simple, healthy foods, and exercise in moderation 

 

Please know that your practitioner will follow all standard infection control practices and precautions to protect your safety and prevent against the transmission of diseases like hepatitis.

 

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WHAT IS GUA SHA?

Although less well-known than acupuncture, gua sha is an effective and healing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy. Gua sha is a technique where a tool is applied to the surface of the body, impacting the skin, muscles, joints, and soft tissues. With this technique, a person’s skin is stimulated by rubbing a tool over an area of the skin, using massage oil for comfort. 

 

"Gua Sha" means “rub sand”, which refers to the small (temporary) marks that results from the treatment, which are often the size of grains of sand. The marks are metabolic waste and blood that have been freed from the tissue and small capillaries. Marks generally disappear within two to three days.

 

This technique helps reduce inflammation, muscle tightness, pain, and fever, while increasing healthy blood circulation in the area. Research has also shown that gua sha increases immune system function, and reduces internal organ inflammation to treat symptoms of issues like asthma and liver disease.

 

Gua sha is usually performed on a person’s back, neck, arms and legs. Sometimes, it is used gently on the face. Your practitioner will work with you to ensure the amount of pressure being used is the appropriate intensity for you. 

 

Gua sha is not suitable for every person. If you recently had surgery, are taking blood thinners, have a blood clotting disorder, have deep vein thrombosis, or have an infection or wound that isn’t healed, this technique may not be right for you.

 

For the next two days after your gua sha treatment: 

• Keep the area of your body covered for at least the next day, preferably until the marks fade. This protects the skin from the sun, cold and wind.

• Stay hydrated, eat simple, healthy foods, and exercise in moderation. 

 

Please know that your practitioner will follow all standard infection control practices and precautions to protect your safety and prevent against the transmission of diseases like hepatitis.

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING MOXA AT HOME

Moxibustion, sometimes called moxa, is a type of heat therapy. It typically utilizes the herb mugwort (or Ai Ye), and is burnt near or on the skin, often using protective cream. Moxibustion warms the body and moves areas of congestion, helping to reduce symptoms related to many conditions, including pain and digestive complaints. Moxa can also help stop excessive menstrual bleeding, decrease allergy symptoms, increase immunity and even help with a breech presentation during pregnancy! Your practitioner may recommend that you use moxa at home to increase your wellbeing. 

 

Make sure to follow all of the instructions provided by your provider, and call or email with any questions beforehand! 

 

DO NOT USE moxa at home unless you have been specifically instructed by your provider. 

DO NOT USE moxa at home if you have a health condition that makes it difficult to sense heat near your skin, including numbness or tingling in the area where the moxa is being applied.

 

1. Find the acupuncture points you’re warming with the moxa (your provider will instruct you beforehand where they are located). You can mark them with a pen if it's easier for you.

2. Hold a lighter or candle to the end of the unwrapped moxa stick until a flame is lit. The flame will go out, leaving a hot ember burning at the end. Be careful not to touch the ember nor any ash that comes off, as they are both very hot.

3. Frequently tap the ash off the end of the moxa stick into a safe receptacle like a ceramic bowl. 

4. Hold the moxa stick 2-3 inches over your skin at the chosen acupuncture points until the skin feels warm. You can remove the moxa stick and hold the point with your hand to test for warmth. 

5. Once the point starts to feel hot, or the skin reddens significantly in the local area, remove the moxa. Wait a few seconds, and repeat step five on each chosen acupuncture point for up to 10 minutes. Do this process daily.

6. When finished, you need to fully extinguish the moxa stick by immersing it in soil, or running it under cold water. If you use water, just make sure the moxa stick has dried out before you try to light it again. Your practitioner may also give you instructions on how to extinguish the moxa stick using aluminum foil.