Wellness Blog

While the efficacy of acupuncture in improving fertility has gained a lot of attention in recent years, many people still ask if it is safe during pregnancy. The answer is a resounding yes! We work with so many women to help them conceive, and naturally we continue to work with them once they’re pregnant. Read More

Between Michael Phelps’s appearance in the pool or Gwyneth Paltrow’s on the red carpet, many of us have been exposed to cupping and the telltale circular marks it leaves behind. What is cupping? How does it work? What can it do for you?

Cupping is an ancient healing therapy used by many cultures; Chinese, Native American, European, and African cultures all have or had a form of it. During a session, glass, silicone, earthenware, or plastic cups are placed on the body using suction and negative pressure. The pull created by the suction loosens muscles, encourages blood flow and improves circulation to an area, decreases inflammation, and sedates the nervous system.

From a scientific perspective, the exact mechanism of action for how cupping works is not completely understood (much like with acupuncture). Theories focus on the body’s nervous system response, hematological response, and immunological response to the physical stimuli. A number of physiological effects are documented from cupping including: an increase in the body’s own natural opioid production in the brain (resulting in pain reduction), a lowering of LDL cholesterol, a lowering of blood pressure, a reduction in inflammation, an increase in immune function, and a significant lowering of blood Read More