Cupping Therapy in Nanaimo: An Ancient Healing Practice
📖 In this guide:
1. How Cupping Works
Cupping therapy has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. It involves creating negative pressure inside a cup (glass, bamboo, or silicone) and placing it on the skin. This suction pulls the skin and superficial muscle layer upward, increasing blood flow to the area and releasing deep fascial tension.
Many people describe the sensation as a deep, pulling stretch — not sharp pain. The suction helps break up adhesions, improve lymphatic drainage, and promote a localized anti-inflammatory response. In our Nanaimo clinic, we frequently combine cupping with acupuncture or tuina massage for stubborn back pain, stiff shoulders, and chronic stress.
2. Types of Cupping
Depending on your condition and comfort level, we may use one of the following cupping methods:
- 🔥 Fire cupping (glass cups) — Traditional method using flame to create suction. Most effective for deep muscle stagnation.
- 💨 Air suction (plastic cups) — Gentle suction controlled by a pump, suitable for beginners or sensitive areas.
- 🎋 Bamboo cups — Historically used in southern China, now less common but still available for specific cases.
- 🚶 Moving cupping (gliding) — Oil is applied to the skin, and the cup is moved along muscle groups to release widespread tension, similar to a deep tissue massage.
Not sure which type suits you? Book a 15‑min consultation →
3. Medical Benefits of Cupping
Research and clinical experience show that cupping can help with:
- Chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Stiffness and limited range of motion
- Tension headaches
- Digestive discomfort (when applied to specific back points)
- Stress and fatigue — calms the nervous system
A 2025 meta-analysis (Frontiers in Medicine) confirmed that wet cupping significantly reduces pain intensity in chronic neck and low back pain, with effects lasting up to 4 weeks after the last session. Another 2024 trial showed that adding cupping to routine care for chronic low‑back pain improved outcomes more than routine care alone.
4. Who Should Avoid Cupping
Cupping is very safe when performed by a trained practitioner, but it is not suitable for everyone. Avoid cupping if you:
- Have skin infections, ulcers, or active eczema in the area
- Have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners
- Are pregnant (especially abdomen and lower back)
- Have severe chronic lung disease (e.g., COPD, bullous emphysema)
- Have a fever or acute infectious illness
If you have any of these conditions, please inform your practitioner before treatment. We will adjust the technique or recommend another therapy.
5. Book a Cupping Session in Nanaimo
Cupping is often most effective when combined with acupuncture or tuina massage. During your first visit, we will assess your condition and create a personalized plan — whether that’s a single cupping session or a package of 6 treatments over several weeks.
📍 Serving Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, and surrounding Vancouver Island areas.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before starting any new therapy, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
✨ What Our Clients Say
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I would highly recommend booking a consultation with Shirley. I met with Shirley in September and on that day she was able to assess my pulse with precision and identify where improvements could be made to support balancing my body. During my initial consultation, Shirley designed a three month treatment plan for me. At each appointment Shirley thoroughly assessed my progress as we worked in partnership to bring my body into balance. Shirley excels at Moxibustion and Tui Na, two therapies that I experienced during my treatment plan and I also followed all of the “homework” that she assigned me. I am very happy with the positive results that I experienced and again I would highly recommended booking a consultation with Shirley.
Glynnis Schwan
December 11, 2024One More Cup Of Tea and Shirley helped me so much with my skin condition. I would recommend her highly.
Edwin Bussian
August 20, 2022The amazing Shirley Brown goes the extra mile to help you to heal. Her initial assessment and history taking is incredibly thorough. Not only does she assess your medical and surgical history but also goes into indepth assessment of your usual diet .eating .sleeping patterns and your exercise routines . Shirley then can treat and heal you so much more profoundly . My first treatment with Shirley was with Moxinustion . Shirley used this to heal imbalances and to restore my energy system and then could prescribe what was needed to make me heal. I went for my first appointment feeling that I could not be healed or would have to wait months if not years to see a specialist. After seeing Shirley I left feeling lighter stronger and with definitely less pain and actual optimism and knew that I had been really cared for . I have been going to see Shirley for special teas she makes depending on what organ in my body needs the most attention . Shirley is a truly gifted healer and her knowledge of Chinese medicine is profound . Shirley truly excels in her profession.
Sandie Bissessur
February 14, 2026 -
Shirley has helped me a great deal in improving my health. Being a Chinese from Hong Kong, I always trust TCM. Although I knew about moxa since I was a kid, I had never tried moxibustion before, until I met Shirley. I had encountered a medical issue in the past few years that none of my doctors and specialists could explain (or in their words "never heard of"). I had also tried cupping, Chinese massage and acupuncture. However, only after I started to have moxibustion and Shirley's five elements tea and herbal teas, I have experienced a huge improvement. As a matter of fact, many of the herbal teas that Shirley prescribes are actually very traditional recipes from the ancient Chinese medical records since thousands of years ago, which are commonly accessible online or on hard copies. However, to feel the pulse, check the body condition and then apply the right recipe for the treatment is utmost crucial and Shirley is proved to be able to do so. And I was told today that the official name of the clinic of "One More Cup of Tea" is "SLB Traditional Chinese Therapies" and there are a lot of information under that page. I am going to leave the exact same review under that name so nobody should miss it. Thank you Shirley.
Vickie
July 25, 2023Shirley is great and recommending treatments
Greg Binions
December 25, 2022Prior to treatment I had chronic pain from spinal stenosis however, after a couple weeks of taking the tea that was specifically made for me I was in far less pain and discomfort. The results of the treatment were far greater than expected. I highly recommend!!
Justin Docksteader
June 28, 2025 -
I started seeing Shirley in September 2024 when I knew I needed to do more to support my health. Shirley is so knowledgeable and is able to pinpoint things that need attention. Things Western Medicine misses. I am happy to report my blood pressure is down and stabilizing from her treatments and tea. I highly recommend Shirley!
The Primary Advantage
May 10, 2025这是一种神奇的疗术，为我消除了身心的伤痛；一次偶然的机会，在纳耐莫认识了五行养生堂的梁女士，刚开始的一个疗程，是以抱着试试看的态度进行了以艾灸为主的理疗，使我消除了长期腰疼的苦痛；在我坚持做完第二个疗程后，两腋下出现了很多就像杂质的体液，同时全身变得有力，更大的是心情不断好了起来；我做完第三个疗程后，全身无比的轻松，让我真正感触到了身体机能的正常是多么开心的事情；本来我想连续做上几个疗程，但是，因为工作出差原因不得不暂停；我为遇到一种神奇的中国传统疗术而欣慰，我更为遇到梁女士的传统疗法而开心；希望中国传统疗法驱除民众的苦痛！愿此神奇的中国传统疗术康复更多的世间广众！ Sunray Heating Ltd 总经理:孙小锋 2022年12月15日
Qianqian Yu
December 15, 2022Excellent, only 3 and 4 treatments, me and my wife fully recovered.
GARY LIANG
December 2, 2025 -
I've been seeing Shirley to help me with eczema rashes that I have been struggling with for many years and I have already been seeing noticeable improvements from her personalized tea, treatments, and advice. Shirley is very good at locating which areas in the body are needing attention. I highly recommend booking with Shirley!
Jenna McLeod
February 17, 2026My opinion is that the teas available at this store are the best natural medicine available in BC. I was amazed at the age of 75 how energized I felt after using Shirley's teas.
Lorne Brown
December 15, 2022Shirley helped me with my health issues and is a very knowledgable and caring human being. Her services and products are fantastic!
Yori
December 16, 2022 -
Great tea! I feel like a new human today. Thank you very much for my heart still beating.
Shawn Pedersen
March 6, 2022Shirley at One More Cup of Tea provides supportive herbal teas and tools to maintain health. She is an important part of my team of health providers.
Steve Bruce
February 14, 2026