Fire CUpping
What is Cupping?
Fire cupping is a Traditional Chinese Medicine modality, that uses glass cups and fire (which creates the suction) in order to promote strong, energetic and physical movement on specific areas on the body. At The Healing Nest in San Diego, we begin your treatment with a beautiful adaptogenic oil, which helps to reduce inflammation, and creates a nice lubrication for gentle sliding of the cups. After we have performed sliding cupping, we allow the cups to remain in place for a bit longer, which is what creates those infamous cupping marks.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, fire cupping works to move stagnation, pull pathogens or toxins from the body, and alleviate pain. While cupping uses quite a bit of suction, it naturally creates marks in the areas they are placed. The marks represent a map of where, and how much, stagnation is stored in the body.
At The Healing Nest in San Diego, fire cupping is used to treat various ailments. It is most commonly used to alleviate tension and support muscle recovery. We also use fire cupping in our immune support treatments — whether you're dealing with a stubborn cough that simply will not resolve, or you are in the early signs of a cold, cupping can help. FAQs
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We usually recommend coming in 1-2x/month for fire cupping. A general rule of thumb is, as long as your marks have faded, you’re in the clear to receive cupping again.
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Fire cupping should not induce pain when performed correctly. You will feel a pulling sensation during the initial suction, however, your practitioner will adjust the intensity as needed and to your comfortability. Imagine getting a nice big hug from a friendly octopus…
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These well-known, and sometimes desired, marks indicate where stagnation is stored in the body. The cups pull the “stuck blood” to the surface, to help create space for new, healthy blood to take its place. This is how the process of healing occurs.
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This all depends on how much stagnation you are carrying in the areas that are being cupped. Healthy cupping marks can get to be a dark red to light purple. If you have minimal stagnation, the marks will be much lighter and sometimes may not even show up at all.
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In TCM theory, it is believed that cupping marks are quite vulnerable to cold. After receiving cupping, we suggest that you avoid cold exposure as much as possible (that means no cold plunges and surfing in the cool waters). It is recommended to keep your marks covered to prevent wind from entering the pores. You are less likely to bring pathogens into the body this way.
