Cupping Therapy in Centennial, CO
Reviewed October 2026
Cupping therapy uses gentle suction to lift and loosen tight muscles. At Modern Chiropractic and Wellness Center, we use cupping to ease muscle tension, improve movement, and promote relaxation. It often pairs well with chiropractic care and acupuncture.
What is cupping therapy?
Cupping is a soft tissue therapy. Cups are placed on the skin and create suction, or negative pressure. Instead of pressing down like massage, cupping gently pulls the skin and muscle up. This can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, and promote relaxation.
Cupping has roots in traditional Chinese medicine and other healing traditions around the world. It became more familiar after elite athletes showed up to competitions with round cupping marks. Today it's a common part of sports and wellness care.
There are two main styles. In static cupping, the cups stay in one place for a few minutes. In moving (or gliding) cupping, a little oil is first applied to the skin, and then the cups are slid up and down the area to work along a muscle.
What conditions can cupping therapy help with?
People most often ask about cupping for:
Back pain
Neck pain and tension
Stiff, tight muscles
Muscle spasms
Tension-type headaches and migraines
Shoulder and upper-back tightness from desk work
Sore muscles after training or sports
Cupping can help increase range of motion, decrease pain, and increase blood flow to an area. It is especially useful for athletes because of its potential to relieve muscle spasms.
Other benefits our patients value:
Feeling relaxed. Many patients find cupping calming. It can be a nice reset during a stressful week.
Better movement. Loosening tight tissue can make it easier to turn your head, reach overhead, or bend.
Pairs well with other care. Cupping can relax muscles before an adjustment or after acupuncture, so the rest of your treatment feels easier.
No drugs and no downtime. You can go back to your day right after.
Cupping is not for everyone. Let us know if you take blood thinners, bruise easily, are pregnant, or have skin problems, open wounds, or recent sunburn in the area.
What happens during a cupping therapy session?
Your first visit is a one-on-one consultation and exam. Your doctor asks about your pain, your activity, and your health history. They check how the area moves. If cupping fits your goals, it becomes part of your written plan.
At your second visit, your doctor reviews the plan with you and treatment begins. You lie comfortably on the table with the area uncovered. The doctor places the cups and sets a level of suction you are comfortable with. For gliding cupping, a light oil is used so the cups move smoothly. Cupping is often done in the same visit as an adjustment or acupuncture.
Does cupping therapy hurt?
Cupping usually does not hurt. Most people feel a strong pulling or tight sensation that eases as the muscle relaxes. If the suction feels too strong, tell us and we can lower it right away.
Cupping often leaves round red or purple marks. These are not bruises from a hit. They come from the suction drawing blood toward the skin's surface. The marks are usually painless and fade within several days to about a week. If you have an event coming up, let us know so we can plan around it.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your exam and your goals. Some people feel looser after one session. Ongoing muscle tension often responds best to a few sessions as part of a broader plan. We don't sell stock packages. Your doctor rechecks you and adjusts the plan as you improve.
Is cupping therapy covered by insurance? What does it cost?
Coverage for cupping varies. Some plans treat it as part of a covered visit, and some don’t cover it at all. Please check your benefits before your visit. Insurance at MCWC is set per doctor. Dr. DiBella and Dr. Latham work with the plans shown on our New Patients page. Dr. Schoefernacker is in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, and BlueCross BlueShield.
Self-pay options are available. Call (303) 221-1714 to ask about current rates.
Who performs cupping therapy at MCWC?
Cupping is provided by our doctors as part of your care plan. Dr. Kelsey Latham often combines cupping with acupuncture and chiropractic care. She focuses on helping patients spot the patterns behind their tension. Ask about cupping when you book or at your exam.
Book cupping therapy in Centennial
Visit us at 7600 E Arapahoe Rd, Ste 211, Centennial, CO 80112.
Book or rebook: https://mcwc.janeapp.com or call (303) 221-1714.