Cupping Therapy at Focus Osteopathy
Cupping is one of the older manual therapy techniques still in regular use, and it tends to be the one people are most curious about. Suction cups are applied to the skin to draw the tissue upwards, which feels quite different to the pressing and kneading of a traditional massage.
At our Murrumbeena and Mount Waverley clinics, cupping is used as part of a broader treatment rather than on its own. Your practitioner will talk through whether it suits your situation before including it.
When Cupping Might Be Included in Your Treatment
Cupping is not right for everyone or for every problem. These are the situations where your practitioner may suggest it.
How Cupping Works
What to Expect Afterwards
Circular Marks Are Normal
Round marks often appear where the cups were placed. They are not bruises in the usual sense and typically fade over several days.
Tell Your Practitioner About Your Skin and Health History
Cupping is not appropriate in some circumstances, including certain skin conditions, bleeding disorders and blood thinning medication.
Plan Around What You Are Wearing
If you have an event or a beach day coming up, mention it, as the marks can last up to a week or so in some instances.
Give Feedback During the Session
Suction strength is adjustable, so say something if it feels too light or too intense and your osteopath can adjust the intensity to suit your needs.
Why Have Cupping at Focus Osteopathy?
It Is Applied Based on an Assessment
Your practitioner assesses the area first and decides whether cupping is appropriate, rather than applying it as a default part of every session.
It Sits Within a Broader Treatment Plan
Cupping is combined with hands on treatment, movement advice and exercise, so it supports the wider plan rather than working in isolation.
Delivered by Qualified Practitioners
The practitioners using cupping at Focus Osteopathy are university trained and registered with their relevant board or association.
Your Suitability Is Checked First
Your health history, medications and skin are considered before cupping is used, and it will not be included if it is not appropriate for you.
You Get an Explanation, Not Just a Treatment
Your practitioner will explain what is being done and why, including what the marks mean and what to expect over the following days.
The Focus Osteo Process in Murrumbeena & Mt Waverley
There’s a reason our patients don’t keep coming back for the same problem. We don’t just chase symptoms, we find what’s causing your pain and address the root cause of your discomfort.
We listen & assess
We hear your story and assess thoroughly to find the true cause of your pain, not just where it hurts.
We explain it clearly
No jargon. We show you what's happening and why, so you feel confident in the plan ahead.
We treat the cause
Hands on osteopathy tailored to you, targeting the source of your discomfort to live & feel better.
We keep you moving
A simple strength and mobility plan stops the problem returning, so you stay active for the long run.
Find Out if Osteopathy Is Right for You
Choosing an osteopath is an important decision. That’s why we offer a free, no-obligation discovery session, giving you the opportunity to meet our team, discuss your concerns, and ask any questions before deciding if we’re the right fit for you.
* Note: there is no treatment given at one of our free discovery session. It’s for you to ask us more questions and for us to confirm whether or not we think we can help you. Refer to the ‘Terms and Conditions‘ page for more detail.
Ready to book your appointment?
Online bookings are available for your convenience. Please note – if you can’t find a suitable appointment time, please contact our clinic and our team will be happy to help arrange a time that works for you.
focus Osteopathy Services
Osteopathy may be appropriate for a range of musculoskeletal concerns. Explore some of the common conditions our osteopaths assess and manage below.
FAQs about Cupping
It uses gentle, controlled suction to boost circulation in your muscle.
You may feel like your skin is pulled up slightly, as in a vacuum. This opens up your muscle tissue and “cleans up” the area. This does a few things:
- Encourage more blood and fluids to circulate
- Help to treat scar tissue
- Get your lymphatic system moving
- Improve skin tone
- Break up cellulite
- Improve mobility and range of movement
- Calm your nervous system
- Draw inflammation out of your body
- Get rid of waste through your arteries, capillaries, and veins.
It can work in the 1 session – or it may take a few more sessions. As with any other treatment, it depends on a few things such as:
- How long you’ve had your problem
- The extent of your problem
- How quickly your body can heal
- Situations that might cause you to have a negative response to cupping (we’ll check with you before your session).
Cupping can only be done by a qualified practitioner who has formally studied – and has practiced the skills in a clinic. So they know how to safely treat you.
What’s more, we combine cupping with other osteopathy techniques (which are backed by research and evidence).
Cupping is generally more uncomfortable than painful as your skin is “sucked” upwards like a vacuum.
However, as with any treatment, your response to cupping may be different from other people.
Generally people get a mark on the cupped areas.
The type of mark depends on how much “internal stagnation” or “congestion” each person has – how “blocked up” they are.
If there’s not much stagnation and you’re relatively healthy, you may leave with the outline of a circle. This may last 1-3 days.
If you get bad muscle tightness, headaches, painful periods, or different types of muscle pain often, you’re more likely to leave the session with with purple-black marks. It may last up to 15 days.
These marks are often mistaken for bruising, yet they are:
- Therapeutic: as they bring the stagnation out of your tissues to the surface, where it can heal
- Diagnostic: the amount and nature of the discoloration gives us an insight into your body
You may also feel a bit drowsy after your session. This is normal.
Note that cupping has given good pain relief to people who have tried many options. It’s generally considered to be safe but occasionally may be associated with possible adverse reactions in individual cases.
Please contact us if you have any questions about possible side effects for you.
Every person’s situation is different and cupping may – or may not be work for everyone.
Note that although there’s no conclusive research about cupping, people we’ve treated in our clinics have had great results in relieving their pain. That’s because we combine cupping (no conclusive evidence) with osteopathy manual techniques which are based on quality research and evidence.