Cupping therapy is one of the oldest and most widely used techniques in traditional Chinese Medicine. It involves placing glass or silicone cups on the skin to create a suction effect, which lifts the fascia and underlying tissues and increases blood flow to the area. In Chinese Medicine language this is described as moving local stagnation; that is the traditional framework rather than a biomedical description.
At Rozelle Acupuncture, cupping is used both as a standalone therapy and as an adjunct to acupuncture treatment. The technique has become increasingly recognised in mainstream healthcare and sports medicine following high-profile use by elite athletes.
Cupping is most commonly used for: back, neck, and shoulder pain and tension, respiratory symptoms including coughs and colds, stress, and sports recovery.
The 'bruising' marks that sometimes appear after cupping are not bruises; they are petechiae, caused by increased blood flow to the area. They typically fade within 3–7 days, and in Chinese Medicine are traditionally read as an indicator of local stagnation being released.