Signature Service · Glenside, PA
Cupping Therapy in Glenside, PA
Small cups, gentle suction, tissue lifted instead of pressed — that is the whole idea of cupping therapy in a sentence. Cupping is one of the oldest forms of bodywork still practiced today, and the cupping therapy session we offer at Tao Spa Glenside is the calm spa version: controlled Chinese cupping on the upper back, 15 minutes, sanitized cups, no flame. It pairs naturally with a 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 90 minutes massage, and the spa is open 9 AM to 9 PM, 7 days a week. We are clear about the spa-vs-clinic line.
At a glance
The session in five numbers
| Detail | Number | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Session length | 15 min | Add-on or stand-alone |
| Type of cupping | Dry cupping | Controlled pump, no flame |
| Cups per session | 4–8 | Upper back most common |
| Mark fade time | 3–10 days | Lighter sessions fade faster |
| Frequency | 1× / month | Plenty for most spa-goers |
I · What it is
Cupping in plain English
Cupping therapy is a bodywork practice with a long history in traditional Chinese medicine and several other traditions around the world. The mechanics are simple: small cups are placed on the skin, air is removed from inside the cup to create suction, and the tissue underneath gets lifted upward instead of pressed down. That single inversion — pulling tissue up rather than pressing it down — is what makes Chinese cupping feel so different from a regular massage.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) describes cupping as generally safe when performed by a trained provider, and is honest about the limits of the evidence — research exists, mostly small studies, with the strongest signals around relaxation and pain perception rather than dramatic medical outcomes. We think that is exactly the right framing.
II · Dry vs fire
The version we use
Two terms keep showing up online: dry cupping and fire cupping. They are not opposites — they are two ways of creating the same suction. Dry cupping uses a small pump (sometimes a squeeze-bulb on silicone cups, sometimes a hand pump on glass) to draw air out before the cup goes on skin. Clean, controlled, easy to dial in.
Fire cupping uses a brief flame inside the cup to heat the air before placement; as the air cools and contracts, the cup grips. It is the version that shows up in old documentaries and viral clips, but the suction it creates is the same kind. Not better, not worse — just a different way of getting there.
"We use controlled dry cupping in our spa setting because it is easier to fine-tune and easier on guests who are nervous about flames near their back."
We do not do wet cupping (skin nicks). That belongs in a medical context with people specifically trained for it. For broader context on how hands-on traditions like cupping are studied as part of overall pain care, NCCIH on chronic pain and complementary approaches is a calm, plain-English read.
III · About the marks
Those circles, honestly
This is the most-asked cupping question. Here is the honest answer. Cupping can leave temporary circular marks where the cups sat. They are not bruises in the impact sense — they are the skin's response to suction, the small blood vessels right under the surface reacting. Colour ranges from light pink to deeper purple, depending on the person and how strong the suction was.
Most marks fade in 3 to 10 days. A light session with short cup time might be gone in 2 to 3. A stronger session can stick around closer to a week and a half. If you have a beach trip, a tank-top weekend, or a wedding coming up, just tell us at intake — we will either lighten the work or place the cups where clothing covers.
One myth worth retiring: darker marks do not mean the session worked better. Cup intensity should match what your skin and your comfort can handle, not what makes the most dramatic photo. If anyone is racing toward darker marks as proof of skill, that is a yellow flag.
IV · What a session feels like
The actual choreography
A short intake at the front desk first — any skin conditions, blood thinners, recent sun exposure, sensitive spots, what you want from the session. Two or three minutes. Then back to the room. A warm cloth pass first. A small amount of oil so the cups can either stay put or glide along the back for moving cupping.
The first cup goes on as a comfort test. Steady deep pull, never a sharp pinch. Pressure is checked. Then the rest of the cups go on — usually 4 to 8 along the upper back. Stationary cups stay 5 to 10 minutes; moving cups slide along the muscle for several minutes at a time. The therapist may combine both. When the cups come off, there is usually a short hands-on integration pass to ease the area back to neutral. You see the temporary circles.
Most clients book cupping therapy as a 15-minute add-on at the end of a longer massage — the muscle is already warmed up and the timing flows. If you want the cupping therapy session stand-alone, that works too. Pairs particularly well with our Migraine Massage when upper-back tension is part of the headache pattern, and with deep tissue when the same area has been holding stress for weeks.
V · Safe, simple, honest scope
What this session is — and isn't
Cupping therapy at Tao Spa is a relaxation bodywork service. It is not a medical treatment. We do not claim to cure, heal, or treat any condition. The NCCIH calls cupping generally safe with a trained provider, with possible side effects of skin discoloration, mild discomfort, and — rarely, almost always tied to poor sanitation — burns or infection. We keep our cupping therapy room spa-clean, sanitize between sessions, and run intake every time.
Please check with your doctor before booking if any of the following apply: bleeding disorder, blood thinners, pregnancy, an active skin condition in the treatment area, recent surgery, or a clinician note that intense bodywork is not appropriate right now. If they clear you, we are happy to book.
Find Us in Glenside
106 N Keswick Ave, on Keswick Avenue in downtown Glenside. A short walk from the SEPTA station, near the Keswick Theatre. Easy reach from Jenkintown, Wyncote, Cheltenham, Abington, and Elkins Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cupping at Tao Spa a medical treatment?
Cupping at Tao Spa is a relaxation bodywork service in the Chinese tradition, not a medical treatment or procedure. We run a 15-minute cupping session as either an add-on to a 30 minutes or 60 minutes massage, or as a stand-alone visit, every day between 9 AM and 9 PM. If you have a specific injury or condition, please see a clinician first. We are a calm spa option, not an injury clinic.
Does cupping hurt?
No sharp pain. The feeling is a steady, deep pull — almost the reverse of a regular massage. If the suction ever feels too strong, the therapist will adjust right away. Most first-timers tell us it is less intense than they expected.
How long do the marks last?
Most cupping marks fade within 3 to 10 days. They are not bruises in the impact sense — they are the skin's response to suction. Lighter sessions fade faster. If you have a beach day or wedding coming up, tell us at intake and we will either lighten the work or place the cups where clothing covers.
Do darker marks mean it worked better?
No. This is the most common cupping misconception. Darker does not equal better, and stronger suction is not a sign of a more effective session. We match cup pressure to your skin and your comfort, not to what looks dramatic.
Dry cupping or fire cupping?
We use controlled dry cupping — small pumps draw air out of clean glass or silicone cups to create the vacuum. It is easier to fine-tune, easier on first-timers, and just as effective as fire cupping. We do not do wet cupping (skin nicks); that belongs in a medical setting.
Can I combine cupping with a massage?
Yes — most clients book it as a 15-minute add-on at the end of a 60- or 90-minute massage. The therapist works the area manually first, then cupping picks up where deep tissue ends. We also offer it as a stand-alone session.
Who should ask their doctor first?
Please check with your physician before booking if you have a bleeding disorder, are on blood thinners, are pregnant, have a skin condition in the treatment area, have had recent surgery, or have any clinical reason that intense bodywork might not be appropriate. We would rather you skip a session than push through.
Ready to Relax at Tao Spa?
Whether you're planning a self-care day, booking a massage, or exploring facial treatments, Tao Spa offers a relaxing spa experience at two convenient Pennsylvania locations.
Tao Spa
Glenside: 106 N Keswick Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
Spring House: 752 N Bethlehem Pike, Spring House, PA 19477
(215) 824-8585 Text Us