Chinese Medicine Clinic Services

Cupping Therapy in Greenville, SC

Cupping Therapy at IHP Greenville — authentic TCM, in-house herbal pharmacy. Dr. Hendry, DAOM, 25+ yrs experience. Call (864) 365-6156.

Cupping therapy is an ancient Chinese healing technique in which glass, bamboo, or silicone cups are applied to the skin with suction, creating a negative pressure that draws superficial tissue upward into the cup. At Integrative Health Partners, Dr. Hendry uses cupping as part of a comprehensive treatment protocol — often combined with acupuncture — for musculoskeletal pain, respiratory conditions, and systemic toxin mobilization. The characteristic circular marks cupping leaves are not bruises but evidence of old blood, stagnant Qi, and metabolic waste being drawn to the surface for elimination.

How Cupping Therapy Works

Cupping is performed by creating suction with either fire (traditional fire cupping, using a flame to exhaust oxygen) or a manual pump (modern plastic cups). Cups are applied to the back, shoulders, legs, or abdomen depending on the therapeutic goal. Dr. Hendry uses stationary cupping (cups left in place for 5–15 minutes) and sliding cupping (oiled skin allows cups to glide across the back for myofascial release). Sessions run 20–30 minutes and are frequently combined with acupuncture.

Your First Appointment

Inform Dr. Hendry if you have any bleeding disorders, are on anticoagulants, or have active skin inflammation at potential cup sites. Cupping marks last 3–10 days depending on severity of stagnation — they are not painful and fade on their own.

Why Dr. Hendry for Cupping Therapy

Dr. Hendry uses cupping as a precision technique integrated into a broader treatment strategy — not as a standalone attraction. His clinical experience with cupping spans both traditional Chinese and modern myofascial applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cupping is generally comfortable — most patients describe a pleasant pulling or pressure sensation. Tight muscles may feel more intense initially but typically ease within a few minutes. Post-treatment tenderness over the cups sites is possible for 1–2 days.
The color and pattern of cupping marks reflect the degree of blood stagnation and metabolic waste in the underlying tissue. Dark purple marks indicate significant stagnation (common in areas of chronic tension); pink or no marks indicate good circulation with minimal stagnation.
3–10 days depending on their intensity. They do not hurt and are not bruises — they are painless discolorations from extravasated blood drawn to the surface during treatment.
Cupping is most effective for musculoskeletal pain (back, shoulder, neck), respiratory conditions (cough, bronchitis — by addressing upper back stagnation), sports recovery, and general detoxification. It is frequently combined with acupuncture for comprehensive treatment.
Yes, when performed by a trained practitioner. Contraindications include active skin infections at cup sites, severe bleeding disorders, anticoagulant therapy, and pregnancy (certain abdominal areas). Dr. Hendry screens for all contraindications.
Integrative Health Partners, 319 Wade Hampton Blvd, Ste A, Greenville, SC 29609. Call (864) 365-6156.

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