Cupping Therapy in Denver
What I use cupping for
Low back pain and the tight hips that usually come with it
Neck and shoulder tension, especially from desk work in the Tech Center
Upper back pain between the shoulder blades
Muscle strains, IT band tightness and post-workout soreness in runners, cyclists and skiers
Tension headaches that start in the neck and shoulders
Chest and rib tightness from stress or shallow breathing
Stubborn spots that acupuncture or Tuina alone has not fully loosened
What cupping is and how it works
A glass or silicone cup is placed on the skin and the air inside is drawn out, either with a hand pump or with a flame that is removed before the cup goes on. The suction lifts the skin and the fascia and muscle beneath it. Where a massage presses tissue down, cupping pulls it up. In Chinese medicine terms, cupping moves stagnant qi and blood.
Lifts stuck tissue
Suction separates layers of tissue that have stuck together after an injury or long hours of sitting, so the muscle can slide and lengthen again.
Draws blood to tight areas
Cupping pulls fresh blood into muscle that has been tight and poorly supplied. The round marks it leaves are blood drawn to the surface, not bruises, and they do not hurt.
Quiets a guarded muscle
The strong, steady pull gives the nervous system new input that often lets a clenched muscle finally let go. Many people stand up and turn their head further than they could ten minutes earlier.
Honest about the research
Cupping has far less research than acupuncture. A German trial of 50 people with chronic neck pain found one session lowered pain three days later (Lauche et al., 2012). A review found promise for low back pain but called the trials small (Kim et al., 2011).
Fire cupping and gua sha
Fire cupping
Fire cupping is the cupping I offer. I briefly flame the inside of a glass cup to use up the air, remove the flame, and place the cup on your skin right away; the flame never touches you. As the air cools the cup grips the skin. I use it for broad, stubborn tension in the back and hips, where a steady pull works well. The cups stay on for five to ten minutes, or I slide them over oiled skin. Fire cupping is included in a cupping visit; there is no extra charge for it.
Gua sha
Gua sha uses a smooth-edged tool, stroked in firm, even lines over oiled skin. I can use it on any part of the body, and I add it when you ask for it or when I think it will help. It leaves red or pink marks called sha that fade in a few days. I use it when a muscle is tight but cups do not sit well on the area, or to finish a Tuina session. The research on gua sha is thin, so I treat it as a hands-on technique for tight muscles, not a treatment for any condition.
Your cupping visit
Your first visit
We talk briefly about where the tension is and what has helped before. You lie face down or on your side and I place the cups. Stationary cups stay on for five to ten minutes, and sliding cups move across oiled skin like a deep massage stroke. The sensation is a firm, steady pull that most people find relieving, and the cupping part of a visit takes 10 to 30 minutes.
Marks and aftercare
The marks fade in three days to two weeks, so plan around a wedding or a swim meet. Afterward, drink water, keep the area covered in cold weather, and skip the hot tub for the rest of the day.
How often
For an acute strain, once or twice a week for two or three weeks. For chronic tension, every two to four weeks as maintenance. I let the marks fade before cupping the same area again.
Who should skip it
Cupping is not a good choice over broken skin or varicose veins, or for people on blood thinners or with a bleeding disorder. Tell me about any of those when you book. The same applies to gua sha.
Ready to start? Book online or call or text (720) 285-6251.
Cupping patients from across southeast Denver
Easy to reach
The clinic is at 3600 South Beeler Street, Suite 150. You’ll find a parking lot with plenty of spots at the clinic, and street parking is available nearby. It is about five minutes from the Denver Tech Center and Greenwood Village and ten from Cherry Creek, Glendale and southwest Aurora.
Athletes and desk workers
Many of my cupping patients are runners, cyclists and skiers coming off a weekend in the mountains, along with office workers whose neck and shoulders have locked up.
Add it to any visit
Cupping fits inside a 90-minute acupuncture visit or a Tuina session. If you only want cupping, book a 30-minute follow-up and tell me that is what you are after.
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Thank you for everything you have done to support my family over the years. Your ethics set a standard far exceeding that of most physicians we have encountered. With heartfelt gratitude, Lo and Offa have lived better lives thanks to your knowledge and guidance. You are a significant reason we have not lost hope.
—R Z
247 Five Star Groupon Reviews
Michael was very knowledgeable and professional. It was a very nice experience. We discussed regarding healthy food I am eating He recommended some food to try to help me with my weight and stress. It was a very productive discussion about stress, food. He also told me about cupping and what he’s doing next and if I was comfortable. I really recommend him.
—Mitsuko
146 Five Star ClassPass Reviews
“Mike is so thorough and knowledgeable. Best acupuncture experience I have ever had. I will definitely be going back!”
“The owner Michael was super nice and very knowledgeable! I had a great experience!”
“This is the first time I’ve ever had acupuncture and cupping, and it was great. Definitely recommend.”
Prices
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most people feel a strong pull that they describe as relieving. It can be tender over a very tight spot. Tell me and I will reduce the suction or move the cup. The marks that remain afterward are not painful.
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Three days to two weeks, depending on how congested the tissue was. They fade on their own. If you have an event where you do not want marks visible, book cupping for after it.
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Yes. Book a 30-minute follow-up and say you want cupping only. Most people get the best results with cupping added to acupuncture or Tuina, but it is your choice.
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At The Subtle Point, cupping on its own is a 30-minute follow-up visit, $60. A 90-minute acupuncture visit with cupping is $130 for follow-ups and $150 for a first visit.
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For an acute strain, once or twice a week for two or three weeks. For chronic tension, every two to four weeks as maintenance. I let the marks fade before cupping the same area again.
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I do not bill insurance directly, but I provide a superbill after each visit for you to submit. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
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Book online at acusimple.com/access/4476, or call or text (720) 285-6251.
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I do not offer wet cupping (hijama) at this time. It involves lightly pricking the skin before a cup is applied, and I will not offer it unless the Colorado Office of Acupuncture Licensure confirms it falls within an acupuncturist’s scope. The cupping I offer is dry cupping, which uses gentle suction on intact skin, and it can be added to any visit.
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Fire cupping is cupping where a flame is used briefly inside a glass cup to remove the air before the cup is placed. The flame is out before the cup touches your skin, and I never hold a flame near your skin. It is not suitable over broken skin, over varicose veins, or for people on blood thinners or with a bleeding disorder, so tell me about those when you book.
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Gua sha is firm, even stroking of oiled skin with a smooth tool to loosen tight muscle, and it can be done on any part of the body. It feels like a firm massage stroke, not a scratch, and it leaves temporary red or pink marks that fade in a few days. I add it when you ask for it or when I think it will help.