المدونة

Wet cupping adds small skin punctures to suction, so it calls for a fuller discussion than dry cupping. Here is what to cover before anything is planned.

Not the same as a standard cupping session

Many people on the Northern Beaches have tried or seen dry cupping, where cups use suction on the skin. Wet cupping, sometimes called bloodletting cupping, adds small skin punctures before the cups go on. That extra step brings additional considerations, so it deserves a fuller discussion than a quick introduction to cupping in general.

What to cover before anything is planned

Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, practises at the Freshwater clinic, a short trip from Manly and Balgowlah. If wet cupping is mentioned, expect and ask for a clear description of the procedure. Useful topics include:

• whether this method is suitable for you at all;
• how bleeding is managed and what infection precautions are taken;
• what recovery usually involves and how to care for the area afterwards;
• which alternatives could be considered instead.

Raise any concerns about slow skin healing, diabetes, blood-thinning medicines or other prescriptions early, before a session is booked. Christine may suggest checking with your GP where that is relevant.

Consent is specific

Saying yes to acupuncture or to dry cupping does not mean you have agreed to a technique that breaks the skin. Each procedure needs its own explanation and its own agreement, and you are free to decline or to take time to think.

Looking back after treatment

Before any session, pick an everyday activity or symptom you would like to discuss at follow-up. Afterwards, include how comfortable you felt and how your skin recovered in that conversation. Marks on the skin are just one observation, and deciding whether to continue should come back to your original reason for treatment, how you responded and the other choices available.

Room to pause and reconsider

Taking the time to ask, pause and reconsider is part of choosing care thoughtfully. If you would like to explore whether wet cupping fits your situation, a consultation in Freshwater can begin with questions alone, with no procedure planned on the day.