Elemental Acupuncture & Integrative Health is located in Cowichan Valley, Duncan BC. In person & virtual appointments available.

Ancient methods for timely relief, healing & thriving

Cupping Therapy (Myofascial Decompression)

Holistic wellness with cupping

Any healing modality used at Elemental Acupuncture must consider the impact and benefit to the whole person.

Documented in one of the world’s oldest medical textbooks (from 1550 B.C.), cupping physical therapy is now used by physical therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, physicians and chiropractors. Pain is treated by cupping, by inducing movement of qi and blood to reduce stagnation, and increasing blood flow to tissues which reduces recovery time. Stagnation is a main source of pain, and stagnation can be caused from physical and mental stress, illness, physical injury, intense exercise, not enough exercise, hormonal changes for women, compromised immunity, among other reasons. We utilize acupuncture with cupping therapy to treat the root cause as well as have physical release of stagnation.

Cupping therapy works by stimulating the fascia by moving blood and qi energy through the fascial system, promoting tissue repair, detoxification, inflammation reduction, pain reduction and comfort. This induces more flexibility and range of motion in the tissue and helps athletes recover faster – this is why you might see athletes covered in circular bruises, as they are frequently receiving cupping to keep them in their best health and optimizing their recovery.

 

In general, cupping therapy is used to aid acupuncture treatment to relieve pain, improve cardiovascular function and ease allergies, reduce inflammation, and increase mobility. Cupping is added often to acupuncture treatments at the acupuncturists discretion to benefit treatment. Some people receive cups on their upper back, some people have treatment on their lower back and legs, sometimes we cup behind the knee to induce range of motion through the posterior chain, and some people get treated on their chest and arms. Every person is different, and treatments are as unique as you are.

Cupping can feel mildly uncomfortable, some people may have circular red/purple suction marks that dissipate the same day, or sometimes it can take up to one week. The more cupping treatments, the less stagnation in the body and the faster healing from each session. Typically, we treat weekly or biweekly until sufficient progress is reached, then a maintenance program will be initiated. With acute issues, we often only need one or two treatments. For long standing or chronic issues, we may need 4 or more treatments. Every body is different, and some people love having cupping with every acupuncture treatment! We will work together to find which best suits your needs.

More information on cupping can be found here: https://www.qiintegratedhealth.com/blog/how-cupping-therapy-supports-athletic-performance

We Direct Bill to most large insurance providers, such as: Pacific Blue Cross, ClaimSecure, Groupsource, GroupHEALTH, Desjardins, CINUP, Chambers of Commerce, IA, Manulife, Johnson, Canada Life and others.

Please either bring your insurance information to your appointment or add it to your intake form that you will receive after booking.

We advise you to check with your provider if your plan allows for direct billing, what coverage is available, and what (if any) deductible is required to be paid up front.

We are currently not accepting new ICBC or Worksafe clients at this time as we have limited availability, sorry for the inconvenience, and we wish you the best outcome on your healing journey.

We accept Debit, Mastercard, Visa, E-Transer or exact cash at your appointment.

No cash is left on the premises - exact payment is required if that is your preferred method of payment.

I suffer from PMDD, and Jen has been instrumental in helping me to regulate my menstrual cycle and manage my symptoms.

"She exudes warmth and compassion and I have felt so supported and held throughout my healing journey with her. She has truly been a lifeline for me, and I cannot express how grateful I am to have found her."

K.H.
I was a little sceptical of acupuncture - until I met Jen.

"I’ve been seeing Jen for 6 months now and going through fertility struggles is tough, but after finding Jen it has made this process a lot less scary. Just having someone who is not only an amazing acupuncturist but a constant support and wealth of knowledge has made this whole process manageable. If you are like me and are unsure if acupuncture can actually help or your nervous, go see Jen she is 100% honest, awesome bedside presence and will set your mind at complete ease! Can’t recommend her enough!"

S.J..
I’ve only seen Jen for acupuncture treatments a few times now but I’ll be a forever client.

"She is so knowledgeable and is committed to treating her clients as a whole, discovering the true root cause of any symptoms and then treating accordingly. I always leave feeling so much more connected with myself and SO good on all levels; physical, mental and spiritual. Her treatments as a whole have been a guiding light for me on the current path I’m on - can’t wait for more."

C.S.