Cupping & Gua Sha Therapy
Healing Your Entire Body
Cupping is an ancient form of natural therapy found in many cultures, not just chinese medicine. People choose this form of therapy for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.
Gua Sha Therapy aims to move Qi, known as energy, around the body and long the meridians (energy channels). The treatment involves using a tool to rub the skin in long strokes, usually applying enough pressure to create some minor bruising.
Gua Sha may help to break down scar tissue and connective tissue, improving movement in the joints. When done correctly, the treatment does not have any serious side effects but is not suitable for those with certain medical conditions.
If you're unsure if Gua Sha or Cupping are right for you please contact us first to discuss your condition before booking.
Our Cupping & Gua Sha Therapists
Therese Poon
Acupuncturist, Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Qigong Teacher
With over 15 years experience in Chinese medicine, Therese has been offering Cupping and Gua Sha treatments for many conditions. Because not all conditions are appropriate for the use of cups or gua sha we recommend giving us a call if you're unsure which treatment is most suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Cupping and Gua Sha
What is Cupping Therapy?
At Balance Point Acupuncture, we use air cupping. A handheld suction pump, used to remove air from the cups to create a vacuum. There are many techniques for cupping including, flash cupping, static cupping and sliding cups. The sliding cups technique is traditionally performed on large muscle groups of the back to treat painful stagnations. Massage oil is applied to the skin prior to the cups being placed, which allows the cups to glide easily over the surface of the skin.
What can Cupping Therapy be used for?
In Chinese Medicine we're taught to use cupping and Gua Sha techniques for certain conditions. However, our terminology is often different to most. We would usually use cupping and Gua Sha for Excess heat, Qi stasis and cold stagnation. These conditions usually represent in the form of pain, tightness, redness, inflammation or aversion to cold. It's important that we make a full chinese medical diagnosis before using this technique, so if your practitioner refuses to offer cupping and gua sha please know that we're doing this for your safety.
What is Gua Sha Therapy?
Gua sha is a natural, alternative therapy that involves scraping your skin with a massage tool to improve your circulation.
In gua sha, we use short or long strokes to stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue, which increases blood flow. We make these strokes with a smooth-edged instrument usually made from ceramic or jade material. We will either apply massage oil to your skin, or perform over the clothing.
What can Gua Sha Therapy be used for?
Gua sha is intended to address stagnant energy, called chi, in the body that practitioners believe may be responsible for inflammation. Inflammation is the underlying cause of several conditions associated with chronic pain. Rubbing the skin’s surface is thought to help break up this energy, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.