How Much Does Cupping Therapy Cost?
Cupping therapy is known to be one of the most effective types of deep-tissue treatment and has gained historical popularity for more than 3,500 years.
This type of treatment is, in fact, a significantly powerful type of acupuncture or acupressure that treats ailments that range from muscular spasms to cold symptoms. Apart from that, cupping therapy has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than thousands of years.
Cupping therapy consists of placing cups on the body and then forming a vacuum using either heat or suction.
This “suction cup” on the skin attracts all the toxins in the area, forming a lesion on the skin. When these heal, the therapy is complete. Cupping therapy is also said to open the meridians of the body, which is said to allow the free flow of energy throughout the body.
How much does cupping therapy cost?
On average, one 45 to 60-minute cupping therapy session will cost $25 to $60. However, since more than one session is recommended, many companies will bundle their sessions in packages. The number of sessions you may need depends on the body part and the extent of the pain or injury.
According to Easy Balance Spa, a spa we had found online, the prices of cupping therapy varies according to the number of sessions. One session could cost $50 while ten sessions could cost $450. 20 sessions, on the other hand, can cost upwards of $800.
| Length of Session | Average Price Researched |
|---|---|
| 15 minutes | $25 |
| 30 minutes | $50 |
| 45 minutes | $70 |
| 60 minutes | $80 |
| 90 minutes | $115 |
| 120 minutes | $150 |
NOTE: If you were to buy sessions in bulk, these prices could drop as much as 30%
Cupping therapy overview
There are two types of cupping therapy. One is stationary, which is used to help clear the stagnation of blood and facilitate the release of pathogens, while an in massage is when the therapist glides the cups over the location to help relieve tension and congestion. The type your therapist will perform depends on the type of pain you are experiencing.
Cupping therapy is perfect for people who are experiencing backaches, sore muscles, stress, and a stiff neck. Typically, modern cups are made of clear plastic, often attached to a manually operated air pump and a tube. A valve is present inside the cup, which serves as the passageway of the air released from the cup when it is removed. There are actually different sizes of cups that allow a more concentrated or a broader contact with the different acupressure points. While there is a slight sensation, the treatments will not hurt. In fact, people who have in massage cupping therapy report that it is actually quite relaxing.
During the procedure, the cups will help increase the blood supply to the muscle and skin, which will then bring nourishment and allow the toxins to be carried away from the veins.
A favorite area in which to have cupping therapy is the broad area of the back. These cups are going to help stimulate knots and rigid tissue areas. Other areas can include the shoulders, necks, stomach, hips and thighs.
For the first 10 to 20 minutes, a massage will be performed to loosen up the muscles. After this, the cups will be applied and will do their work for up to 20 minutes. Once this is complete, the cups will be removed and the session will be finished. Typical sessions can take up to 45 minutes to an hour.
After a session, suction cup marks will be present on the skin. These marks can take up to a week to heal.
What are the extra costs?
When it comes to cupping therapy, more than one session will be required as mentioned. During the first week, the therapist will recommend up to five sessions. After that initial week, two to three will be recommended.
Adding feet and hot stones can increase the price by $5 to $15.
Tips to know:
Aside from pains, if you are suffering from anxiety, fibromyalgia, insomnia, and chronic pain, this therapy could work.
You may also want to consider cupping therapy if you have been suffering from post-injury trauma, sluggish colon, and surgery adhesions.
Additionally, if you are aiming to lose weight, you may also want to consider this therapy to get rid of excessive cellulite in your body. However, those who are looking to lose weight should know that cupping therapy is going to have to be paired with a strict diet to see results.
There are both benefits and side effects of cupping therapy. The main side effect is the marks that are left behind. Another side effect is the possibility of skin infection should the area not heal properly. Instead of just leaving marks, sometimes cupping therapy can actually burn the skin.
It is advised that pregnant or menstruating women, people with certain types of cancers, and people with bone fractures stay away from cupping therapy.
Because cupping therapy is considered an alternative medicine, most insurance companies will not cover the costs.
Cupping, for the most part, won’t be painful, but those who have had the procedure done stated it felt as if someone was slightly pinching the area being cupped. Even after the suction cups are removed, the bruise you may see on the pictures online are rarely painful and consider apart of the process.
How can I save money?
The more sessions you purchase up front, the more you are going to be able to save overall. If you know you are going to need ten to twenty sessions throughout the next few weeks, it is going to be best to purchase as many sessions up front as possible.
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