Cupping
Cupping & Gua Sha
The two get confused, but they are not the same: cupping uses suction over an area, gua sha uses a smooth tool drawn along the skin. The marks they leave are expected.
Cupping applies suction over an area; gua sha draws a smooth tool along the skin. Both leave marks, and that is expected — but how dark the marks are does not measure anything, and it certainly does not measure 'toxins'. They usually fade over several days to a couple of weeks.
Tell the practitioner about bleeding problems, blood thinners, broken or infected skin, pregnancy, or recent unexplained bruising. Each of those changes what can be done.
In an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. Broken or infected skin, or blood thinners — tell us first.
Tell us which one and when suits you. Cantonese, Mandarin and English.