Cupping Therapy (Baňkování)

Traditional cupping therapy — known in Czech as baňkování — uses glass or silicone cups applied to the skin to create gentle suction that draws superficial blood and lymph to the surface, loosens myofascial tissue, and stimulates circulation in the treated area. At Institut Celostní Medicíny, cupping is applied as part of a Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment protocol by MUDr. Strnadelová, particularly for back pain, respiratory congestion, and conditions where muscle tension or poor circulation contribute to symptoms.

Cupping therapy is one of the oldest documented medical interventions in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with records dating back over 2,000 years. The technique involves placing cups — at this clinic typically glass or silicone cups — on the skin and creating suction either through heat (fire cupping) or by manual pump. The negative pressure draws the superficial tissue layers upward into the cup, creating a distinctive lifting effect on muscle and fascia. The physiological effects of cupping are well-studied: increased local blood flow, separation of adherent myofascial layers, stimulation of the lymphatic system, and activation of skin mechanoreceptors that modulate pain signals. Redness or temporary circular marks after cupping are normal and indicate that the treatment has drawn stagnant blood and metabolic byproducts to the skin surface for dispersal — these marks typically fade within 3–7 days. At Institut Celostní Medicíny, cupping is integrated into the clinic's broader TCM treatment framework. MUDr. Strnadelová applies cupping along the Bladder meridian on the back (the most commonly treated pathway in TCM cupping), over the upper trapezius and rhomboid muscles for tension headaches and cervical spine issues, and over the upper back for respiratory conditions including chronic bronchitis and asthma, where it helps loosen mucus and reduce airway inflammation. Sessions are 30 minutes. The practitioner may use stationary cups held in position for 5–10 minutes (fixed cupping) or gliding cups moved across oiled skin to cover larger areas of the back or limbs (sliding cupping). Both techniques are available; the choice depends on the condition being treated. Cupping is commonly combined with a same-session acupuncture treatment for synergistic effect. Contraindications include active skin infections or rashes over the treatment area, bleeding disorders, pregnancy in the first trimester, and fever. The practitioner assesses suitability at the initial consultation.