Cupping has roots in acupuncture and traditional medicine. Cups are placed on the skin and the air inside is drawn out, so the tissue underneath is gently lifted. Where massage presses down, cupping pulls up, and that change in pressure floods the area with blood flow, loosens fascia and eases the muscle beneath.
At AcuMedGroup it is most often paired with acupuncture in the same session, either before needles are placed or after they are removed.
What cupping is used for
- Tight, painful muscle regions in the back, shoulders and neck
- Stiffness and reduced mobility
- Tension headaches
- Recovery after training or physical work
- Support for circulation and relaxation
What to expect
Cupping is non‑invasive. You will feel a pulling sensation under each cup, which most patients find comfortable. Cups stay on for a few minutes, or are moved across the skin with oil for a sliding effect. Round marks are normal and fade over several days; they are the visible sign that blood has been drawn into the tissue, not bruising from impact.
Is cupping right for me?
Cupping is not used over broken skin, on patients with certain bleeding disorders, or in some stages of pregnancy. Those questions are covered on the screening call and at your consultation.
Questions about cupping
What does cupping feel like?+
A steady pull under each cup, sometimes with warmth. Most patients find it comfortable and many relax into it. With sliding cupping, Dr. Rusnak oils the skin and moves the cup slowly across the muscle, which feels like a deep massage working in reverse. Cups stay in place for a few minutes at a time.
What are the round marks, and how long do they last?+
They are not bruises from impact. The suction draws blood into the tissue under the cup, and the colour shows how congested that area was. The marks are painless and fade over three to ten days. If you have a wedding, a photo shoot or a beach day coming up, tell us and we will place the cups where they will not show.
What is the difference between fire cupping and suction cupping?+
Both create the same lift. In fire cupping a flame removes the air from a glass cup an instant before it is placed, which also brings gentle warmth. Suction cupping uses a hand pump on a plastic cup, which lets the pressure be adjusted precisely. Dr. Rusnak chooses between them for each patient;
read her comparison.
Is cupping done on its own or with acupuncture?+
Usually in the same session as
acupuncture, before the needles go in or after they come out, because the two reinforce each other. Cupping can also stand alone for a tight back or shoulders after training. Which is right for you is decided on the screening call and at your first visit.
Who should not have cupping?+
Cupping is not applied over broken skin, sunburn, rashes or varicose veins, and it is approached with care for anyone on blood thinners or with a bleeding disorder, and in some stages of pregnancy. None of these rules you out of treatment altogether; they change where and how we work. Mention them on the screening call.
How many sessions will I need?+
Tight muscles from a hard week often ease in one or two sessions. A long-standing pattern of pain or stiffness is treated as part of a plan, typically every one to two weeks at first, and the interval lengthens as you improve. Dr. Rusnak sets out a realistic course at your first visit.
What should I do after a cupping session?+
Keep the treated area warm and covered for the rest of the day, drink water, and skip hot tubs, cold draughts and strenuous exercise until the next morning. Mild soreness like the day after a workout is normal and passes within a day or two.
Is cupping covered by insurance or the VA?+
Coverage varies by plan and is checked on the screening call; self-pay fees are quoted before you book. Veterans referred through
VA Community Care can ask on the same call how cupping fits within an authorized visit.
