Fire cupping uses flame to create a vacuum inside of a glass cup, allowing it to be suctioned on to the body. By pulling up on the skin, fascia, and muscles, the cups break away adhesions in the tissues and loosen restrictions. This increases blood flow to sore muscles and stimulates an immune response to the area for repair. The cups may be left in one position, or moved around in a gliding fashion.

• Neck, shoulder or back soreness/tension from exercise, overuse, injury or stress

• Joint pain in the knees, ankles

• Cough, common cold, asthma

• Seasonal allergies

• Headaches

• Anxiety, worry, grief

• Fatigue, sluggishness

• Painful periods

No, cupping shouldn’t hurt! You may feel some initial discomfort as the cups help release muscle adhesions and increase blood flow to support healing. The flame used in fire cupping never touches your body—it’s simply used to create suction, and the cup itself is not hot.

Many people describe the sensation as a “reverse massage,” where the skin, fascia, and muscles are gently pulled upward instead of being pressed down. After a few minutes, most people hardly notice how many cups are on their body.

We always work with you to ensure the experience is as comfortable and relaxing as possible.

Cupping marks are often mistaken for bruises, but they are not the same. Unlike bruises, which result from blunt trauma causing blood vessels to break, cupping marks are caused by suction that draws blood to the surface. The discoloration is a result of increased circulation and stagnant blood being brought to the skin, not injury. These marks typically fade within a few days and are a normal response to the therapy.

In traditional chinese medicine, darker cupping marks indicate more stagnation or tension in the muscle. You may have some areas with only light marks or no marks at all. After several cupping sessions, dark marks will no longer occur as optimal circulation is restored in the muscles.

Gua sha is a traditional healing technique that involves using a smooth-edged tool to gently scrape the skin, promoting circulation, relieving tension, and supporting the body's natural healing processes. While it’s widely known today for its beauty benefits—particularly for lifting and sculpting the face—gua sha is also used on the body with deeper pressure to release tissue adhesions and increase blood flow to sore muscles. The scraping motion may create temporary redness or petechiae (tiny red spots), which usually fade within a few days. Traditionally, gua sha has also been used to stimulate the immune system, especially during upper respiratory infections.

Like cupping, gua sha can cause mild discomfort during the treatment, especially in areas with muscle tension or stagnation, but it should not be painful. Most people describe the sensation as a deep massage or pressure and often report instant relief! We work with you to adjust the pressure so gua sha feels therapeutic.

Many people feel relief after one treatment. Depending on your health concerns and how long you’ve experienced the issue, more sessions may be required for long term relief.