Cupping and Gua Sha

Lots of people think of acupuncture only when something is wrong, and I get that. It feels good when your body isn't nagging you to take care of it, right? But we all know your body works best when it's taken care of all along—when you eat the right foods, teach it how to move the right way, let it rest. We take care of ourselves all day, every day, usually without even realizing it.

That's even more important for athletes, who don't just need to take care of their bodies—they need to keep them in perfect condition for their sport. I started thinking about this while watching the Olympics earlier this month, because so many athletes were showing the tell-tale signs of cupping: rows of small dark circles along their backs and shoulders.

For my patients, I actually recommend Gua Sha instead of cupping because it offers the same—and often even better—benefits, like reduced pain and inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being. And all of those things are key to helping everyday athletes perform their best, too.

Unlike cupping, Gua Sha doesn’t leave symmetrical bruises on your skin, but it does leave reddish areas after treatment. During Gua Sha, we use a smooth, round-edged “spoon” to stroke the area, which is what creates those red areas—that’s your Sha on the surface of your skin. Gua Sha isn’t painful and the redness usually fades within a few days.

Whichever you choose, these ancient forms of therapy help relieve aches and pains, improve circulation, and help with respiratory and digestive issues.

So you can see why Olympic athletes are big fans! Even Michael Phelps showed up to his Gold-medal matches with cupping marks across his shoulders, and it wouldn’t surprise me if many Olympic athletes use Gua Sha instead of cupping, as well.

Of course, our goals here are slightly different than an Olympic gold medal. (Although I wouldn't turn away Michael Phelps if he came in asking for treatment.) Together, we’ll build a treatment plan using the best option for your needs to help you feel better and find the right balance.

In health and wellness,
Julie