Important Information

The current pandemic requires a more stringent assessment of contraindications that could impact your participation in the cupping classes. A screening questionnaire and a consent for class participation will be sent prior to the class and must be completed and returned no later than one week before the class. If you have had a covid-19 infection and the symptoms have not completely resolved, you must have a written letter from your MD stating there is no further risk of contagion and it is safe for you to receive cupping massage. There will be a covid specific on-site screening when you arrive. All participants will be required to follow the state protocols for massage therapy including the use of all required PPE. All participants without exception will be required to wear a face covering at all times while in class. 

In general, cupping massage may be contraindicated for a student in the cupping massage class. When this occurs, you may not be able to receive work, but will be able to practice the skills taught in class. One example is pregnancy. Pregnant students may not receive cupping work. Students who are taking medications for a medical problem, under medical care for a medical problem or have a serious or chronic medical condition should consult their personal physician to ensure that receiving cupping massage in class will be safe for them. 

Vouchers for a future class will be given to students who are too ill to attend class. 

Please consider your  physical health and also be considerate of other attendees 

when making decisions about whether to attend a class or not. Your physical health 

and the health of the other students will be the instructors priority when making decisions about allowing participation in the class. 

Other than chiropractic care, you should not receive any other body work including massage, cupping and acupuncture or any spa treatments including sun tanning (no facials for Face, Jaw and Neck class) within 48 hours of attending a cupping massage class as this is contraindicated for receiving cupping work. Avoid taking Aspirin,  Motrin, Aleve or other NSAID's (unless prescribed by a physician) on the  day of class and preferably avoid them for several days prior to the  class.

You will be getting on and off the table throughout the day. You should wear clothing that is easy to get in and out of and bring a robe to make transitions on and off the table go smoothly. 

The cups can be stiff to work with at first, especially the bubble top  cups. If you are working with brand new cups, it is a good idea to wash them thoroughly in hot sudsy water and to squeeze and work the cups to decrease their stiffness before you have to use them in class. 

I highly recommend using a medium thickness cream to help maintain suction and glide with the cups. Lotions are typically too light and gel and oil may accumulate on the cup edge and get gummy. Thick advanced  and deep tissue creams have too much "stick". I have also been  experimenting with high oleic organic sunflower oil and it is proving to  work well with the cups. Feel free to bring the product you normally use, but also have a medium cream or high oleic sun flower oil with you in case you don't like how your product works. Make sure to have a good  amount of whatever product you will be using, at least 10 oz. You will  go through a lot more product with cupping than with typical manual  work.