Cupping Therapy in Los Angeles
Ancient Technique for Pain Relief and Deep Tissue Healing
Written by Shaun Menashe, LAc, MTOM, Dipl. — Licensed California Acupuncturist and Founder of Golden Mean Acupuncture. Practicing since 2014.
Cupping therapy is a powerful technique that has been used for thousands of years to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. At Golden Mean Acupuncture in Los Angeles, cupping is integrated into comprehensive treatment plans, offering patients a time-tested approach to musculoskeletal relief supported by growing research evidence.
Decompression TherapyWhat Is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping involves placing specialized cups on the skin to create suction. This negative pressure draws blood toward the surface, increasing circulation, releasing muscle tension, and promoting the body's natural healing processes (Aboushanab & AlShami, 2018).
The technique is the opposite of massage: while massage compresses tissue, cupping pulls tissue upward, creating space between muscle layers and fascia that allows fresh blood flow and promotes tissue regeneration. Research shows cupping can increase peak skin blood flow to 16.7 times baseline levels (Chi et al., 2020).
Key Benefits
Increases blood circulation up to 16.7x
Releases deep fascial adhesions
Reduces muscle tension
Promotes tissue regeneration
Decompresses rather than compresses
Types of Cupping
Each method is chosen based on your condition and sensitivity
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Stationary
Cups placed for 5-10 minutes
Best for: Localized pain, muscle knots, chronic tension
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Moving
Oil applied, cups glided across muscles
Best for: Large areas of fascial restriction
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Flash
Rapid placement and removal
Best for: Sensitive individuals, minimal marking desired
Conditions treated
Research supports cupping therapy's effectiveness for various conditions (Cramer et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2024):
Chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain (back, neck, shoulders)
Sports injuries and delayed onset muscle soreness
Fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndromes
Respiratory congestion and bronchitis
Stress-related tension patterns
Digestive complaints including bloating and constipation
While clinical trials show high efficacy for short-term pain relief, cupping is used at Golden Mean as part of comprehensive care rather than as an isolated intervention.
Important Safety Information
Cupping is safe when performed by trained practitioners. However:
Blood thinners: Patients taking anticoagulant medications must inform the practitioner before treatment.
Pregnancy: Cupping is not performed on the abdomen or lower back during pregnancy.
Contraindicated: Avoid over broken skin, burns, active infections, or severe varicose veins.
Cupping Therapy sessionsWhat to Expect
Sessions begin with discussion of concerns and treatment goals. After examination and acupuncture needle placement, cups are applied toward the end of the session. The cups create a pulling sensation that most people find surprisingly comfortable.
After removal, treated areas often appear red or purple. These marks are not bruises but the result of blood being drawn to the surface. They typically fade within 3-7 days. The intensity often indicates the level of stagnation present; marks typically lighten with successive treatments as circulation improves.
If visible marks are a concern, flash cupping or lighter suction can provide benefits with minimal marking.
Combining Cupping with Other Therapies
Cupping works synergistically with acupuncture and bodywork techniques like gua sha and tui na. While cupping decompresses tissue, gua sha releases surface restrictions, and tui na directly manipulates muscles. Using these techniques in combination provides comprehensive treatment for complex conditions.
Location
Golden Mean Acupuncture is located near Dodger Stadium in Angelino Heights, serving Echo Park, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Koreatown, Downtown LA, and East Hollywood.
About Your Practitioner
Cupping treatments are provided by Shaun Menashe, LAc, MTOM, Dipl., founder of Golden Mean Acupuncture.
Shaun has been a licensed California acupuncturist since 2014 and holds a Master's degree from Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM).
Ready to Experience Cupping?
For those interested in whether cupping might benefit their condition, this can be discussed during any acupuncture visit.
Cupping is a complementary therapy and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The marks are not painful and are not true bruises. They typically fade within 3-7 days.
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For acute pain, 1-2 sessions per week initially. For chronic conditions or maintenance, biweekly or monthly sessions often provide sustained benefits.
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Cupping is safe for most people. It should be avoided with active infections, pregnancy (on abdomen/lower back), bleeding disorders, or blood thinners.
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Cupping lifts and decompresses tissue; massage compresses it. This makes cupping effective for releasing deep fascial adhesions in ways massage alone cannot achieve.
References
Page last updated: February 2026