At Retreat Acupuncture in San Francisco, we offer cupping therapy as part of our holistic care approach. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and now widely used in integrative and sports medicine, cupping is a time-tested technique that promotes circulation, eases pain, and supports the body’s natural healing and is often used for back and neck pain, respiratory conditions, sports recovery, and stress relief. It’s a deeply relaxing therapy with immediate results.
Cupping is a centuries-old technique that uses suction cups to lift the skin and underlying tissues, promoting circulation, relieving muscle tension, and encouraging detoxification.
We offer both:
- Traditional Fire Cupping
- Modern Silicone & Vacuum Cupping
What Is Cupping?
Cupping involves placing specialized glass, silicone, or bamboo cups on the skin to create suction. This gentle vacuum effect lifts the skin and underlying tissues, increasing blood flow, loosening fascial restrictions, and drawing out metabolic waste and stagnation.
Benefits of Cupping Therapy:
- Pain Relief – Eases muscular aches, joint pain, and tension from overuse or injury
- Improved Circulation – Enhances blood and lymphatic flow to promote healing
- Detoxification – Helps the body eliminate stagnant fluids and toxins
- Relaxation – Relieves stress and calms the nervous system
- Immune Support – Stimulates the body’s natural defense systems
“Where there is stagnation, there will be pain. Remove the stagnation, and you remove the pain.”
— from the Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi Neijing)
Types of Cupping Offered:
- Dry (Static) Cupping – Cups are left in place for several minutes to draw circulation to a specific area
- Sliding (Massage) Cupping – Cups are moved across oiled skin to treat larger areas of tension
- Flash Cupping – Cups are applied and quickly removed in rapid succession to stimulate the surface
- Fire Cupping – Traditional method using flame to create suction, enhancing warmth and movement
- Facial and Cosmetic Cupping – Gentle techniques used to tone skin, reduce puffiness, and enhance lymphatic drainage
Modern Research Supporting Cupping:
- A 2021 systematic review concluded that cupping therapy significantly reduced pain intensity and improved physical function in people with neck pain, low back pain, and knee osteoarthritis.
Zhou et al., BMJ Open, 2021 - A 2020 meta-analysis showed that cupping was effective in improving pain and function in chronic neck and back conditions.
Cao et al., J Altern Complement Med, 2020
Cupping in TCM Philosophy
In Chinese medicine, pain and disease often result from stagnation of Qi (energy) and blood. Cupping is used to “invigorate the blood, move Qi, and expel wind, cold, or damp”—external factors that are said to lodge in the body and block circulation.
“It is appropriate to cup when the flesh is tight and the channels are blocked.”
— Qian Jin Yao Fang (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), Sun Simiao
Cupping is frequently combined with acupuncture, herbal therapy, or massage for enhanced effect.
