increase blood flow
ease pain & tension
reduce inflammation
drain lymph
detoxify the system
Acupuncture treatments consist of the insertion of fine needles into blocked areas to return energy back to its natural flowing state.
What Does Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture can help resolve:
Physical pain & injury
Stress, anxiety, & trauma
Sleep & digestion imbalances
Reproductive & hormonal concerns
Emotional stagnation
Energetic depletion or overwhelm
Life transitions and spiritual disharmony
But beyond symptom relief, acupuncture awakens the parts of you that want to fully live. It gently disrupts patterns of avoidance, enhances awareness, and creates space for deep transformation. According to Dr. Leon Hammer:
“From the first encounter with needles, that side of a person that wants most to feel fully alive is engaged in unraveling the enigma of an avoidance of one’s own life.”
Where Does Acupuncture Come From?
Acupuncture has its roots in ancient Chinese cosmology and medical philosophy, as documented over 2,000 years ago in the Huangdi Neijing, particularly in the foundational text Lingshu jing 靈樞經 (Spiritual Pivot).
The characters 靈 (ling), 樞 (shu), and 經 (jing) are themselves symbolic:
靈 (ling) evokes the image of a female shaman dancing in ritual—calling down heaven to meet earth. It means spiritual or magical—a force that produces visible results.
樞 (shu) means pivot—like a celestial hinge, around which the cosmos turns.
經 (jing) is translated as “classic”— a text that has timeless truth and cannot be warped by the individual.
Together, Lingshu jing represents the magical turning point between spirit and body, cosmos and human, above and below.
These classical texts are not merely ancient medicinal theory—they are maps of transformation, decoding how nature moves through us, and how healing occurs by returning to resonance with those rhythms.
What does Lingshu (靈樞) Actually Mean?
The classical text Lingshu jing (靈樞經), often translated as The Spiritual Pivot, is not just an acupuncture manual—it’s a metaphysical map of reality.
靈 (Líng) means “spirit,” “numinous,” or “magical.” It suggests something beyond the physical—a mysterious, animating force capable of instant, transformative effects. In early Chinese cosmology, ling implied divine responsiveness—a sacred interaction between heaven and earth.
樞 (Shū) means “pivot” or “hinge”—a central point that allows movement, rotation, or transformation. Think of it as the axis around which the universe turns, or the doorway between seen and unseen.
Together, Lingshu refers to the sacred turning point where spirit and matter intersect. The title tells us this is not a technical how-to guide on where to place needles—it’s a symbolic manual for transformation.
The Text as Symbolic Code, Not Just Technique
Rather than a book of purely physical techniques, the Lingshu is written in coded symbolic language. It explains how:
The energetic, functional layers of the body (Qi, Shen, organ networks) relate to
The visible, measurable structures (anatomy, symptoms, physical illness)
In other words, it teaches us to read the body like a holographic mirror of the cosmos—a resonant field where meaning, emotion, and biology interact. Acupuncture, in this view, isn't merely mechanical—it’s symbolic and alchemical.
A Scientific System of “As Above, So Below”
This system mirrors ancient and modern scientific principles of resonance and correspondence—what happens in the macrocosm (heaven, time, nature) reflects in the microcosm (the human body). Thus, the Lingshu offers a scientific methodology of symbols, where the practitioner tunes into patterns of disharmony and restores them through precise, symbolic intervention.
This is what makes it “magical”:
Change isn’t just physical—it happens in real time across body, mind, and spirit.
Healing is not linear—it’s an activation of a hidden pivot, an opening that transforms the entire field of being.
Immediate Transformation through the “Ling” Effect
The ling aspect of acupuncture refers to this seemingly instantaneous shift:
A needle can dissolve long-held pain.
A point can awaken buried emotion.
A treatment can initiate profound life change.
This is real-time magic, not in a supernatural sense, but in the way consciousness and pattern reorganize through subtle resonance. When the treatment aligns with the patient's destiny and timing, it produces what feels like miraculous results.
Acupuncture as Consciousness Work
Dr. Leon Hammer, a renowned psychiatrist, acupuncturist, pulse diagnostician and classical medicine teacher, explains that acupuncture:
“Provides an opening to the unconscious and a break in maladaptive feedback loops.”
In other words, acupuncture doesn’t just relieve pain—it interrupts stuck patterns, often ones we’re not even aware of. That interruption creates the opportunity for new behavior, new emotion, and new awareness.
And this process isn’t always comfortable. As Hammer writes:
“The growing awareness is often painful as well as gratifying, since awareness is the antithesis of denial… From the first encounter with needles, that side of a person that wants most to feel fully alive is engaged in unraveling the enigma of an avoidance of one’s own life.”
So, even the pain that may arise during healing has purpose—it’s the body's way of reawakening to aliveness. Acupuncture invites that side of you that yearns for fullness, clarity, and connection to come forward and lead.
In Summary: What This Means for You
Acupuncture is not just about symptom relief—it’s about restoring alignment with your deepest truth.
The treatment may seem subtle, but it taps into ancient symbolic laws that still govern your biology and psyche.
With the right practitioner, each session is an invitation to step through the hinge (樞) between who you were and who you are becoming.
What is the Holomap (Organ Clock)?
Dr. Heiner Fruehauf developed the Chinese Medicine Holomap from the cosmological codes embedded in the Neijing. It’s based on the 12-year orbit of Jupiter, mirrored in the 12 Earthly Branches, the 12 months, zodiac animals, hexagrams, time intervals, and the 12 energetic organ networks described in the classics.
This holomap functions like a cosmic clock—each organ network governs a specific time of day and season of the year, linking your internal rhythms to the movements of the stars.
Each organ network is not a structure, but a functional field—a symbolic mirror of physical, emotional, and spiritual functions. These networks influence your body, mood, dreams, coping mechanisms, and even life lessons. When the energy of an organ network becomes blocked or out of sync, symptoms arise. Acupuncture works by realigning your system with the wisdom of these cosmic cycles.
“The Classic of the Magical Pivot outlines a scientific methodology based on symbols and resonance that connect as above, so below—which produces results that seemingly magically transform disease into health.”
— Dr. Heiner Fruehauf
How does acupuncture work?
As described in the Lingshu, acupuncture is the insertion of a magical needle—a precise touchpoint that brings the body into harmony with the universe.
While we cannot always change life’s stressors, acupuncture restores the free flow of Qi (氣)—the animating life force that pulses through the body—helping shift physical, emotional, and energetic stagnation. When Qi flows properly, the body becomes a vessel for clarity, resilience, and evolution.
Dr. Leon Hammer wrote that the goal of therapy is to “achieve a change in character in the ways in which a person characteristically avoids living life.” Acupuncture opens unconscious patterns and feedback loops, offering a new way forward. As new neural pathways form, your physiology and perception begin to transform—one point at a time.
Why It’s Called the “Magical Needle”
In classical Chinese medicine, healing isn't mechanical—it’s cosmological. Acupuncture doesn’t just move Qi—it pivots the spirit.
When performed with intention and reverence, it’s an art form that stirs the deepest layers of the soul. The symbols, points, and channels act as keys, unlocking the body's wisdom and restoring alignment with your destiny path.
Each treatment is a ceremony:
The needle invites awareness.
The body becomes the altar.
The Qi moves in rhythm with the stars.
And you are transformed.
How do I prepare for a cupping session?
Make sure you’re well-fed and hydrated on the day of your treatment. Drink plenty of water beforehand—hydration helps soften the muscles, making them easier to treat. When you’re dehydrated, muscles can become stiff and more difficult to work with.
Water also supports healthy circulation and helps your body clear out toxins and waste after your session. Eat a light meal or snack a few hours before your appointment so your body has the energy it needs to respond to the therapy.
What Should I Expect During a Cupping Session?
Cupping is deeply relaxing for both body and mind. The cups create a gentle suction on the skin—similar to the sensation of a massage, but instead of pressing down, the cups lift the tissue upward. This pulling sensation can feel soothing and calming.
Cups may be placed in one spot to create a focused effect, or they might be moved along the muscles with oil for a more dynamic treatment. It’s common for the skin to turn red or develop temporary marks (similar to hickeys) as circulation increases in the area—this is a normal and expected response.
Let your practitioner know if you’ve ever felt discomfort after cupping, or if you tend to be sensitive to acupuncture, bodywork, or deep pressure. Treatments can always be adjusted to be more gentle while still very effective. More intense doesn’t mean more effective—this is not a “no pain, no gain” approach. Even if you’ve had a strong reaction in the past, a customized and conservative session with proper self-care can feel much better the next time around.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Cupping is generally very safe and well-tolerated. Most people feel relaxed, looser, and refreshed after a session. However, some may feel tired, achy, or mildly sore the next day—similar to how you might feel after a deep massage. This is a natural, temporary response as your body processes the release of tension and toxins stirred up by the treatment.
The most common visible side effect is round marks on the skin, ranging from pink to deep purple. These marks are not bruises but rather a normal reaction to the suction and typically fade within a few days to two weeks, depending on your body’s healing response.
Occasionally, small, painless water blisters may appear where the cups were placed—this is rare and usually harmless. If you have an upcoming event or photoshoot and want to avoid marks, it's best to schedule your session for another time.
Always let your practitioner know how your body responds to treatment so we can tailor the session to your needs.
When Should Cupping Be Avoided?
Cupping is not recommended for children under 4 years old or for older adults with very delicate or fragile skin. It should also be avoided if you are taking blood-thinning medications.
Do not receive cupping over areas with a sunburn, rash, open wound, skin ulcer, or a fresh tattoo. Your practitioner will always assess your condition and adjust treatment accordingly to keep you safe and comfortable.
Is Cupping Therapy Covered by Insurance?
Many major insurance companies and most OHP plans cover cupping therapy under your Physical Therapy (PT) benefits, which licensed acupuncturists are allowed to bill. Depending on your plan, PT services may have a separate copay, coinsurance, deductible, or require prior authorization.
If your plan does not cover PT services (such as UnitedHealthcare or OHP Open Card), you can still enjoy these therapies as add-ons to your acupuncture session:
Cupping therapy
Hands-on bodywork/manual techniques
These treatments are available for a small additional fee, giving you the option to personalize your session based on your needs and preferences.
Tips for cupping aftercare
It is beneficial to drink water after your cupping session because as the cups manipulates your muscles, they excrete water and electrolytes, and toxins are released. Drinking water afterwards helps the body rehydrate the muscles and flush out waste materials that were released during the session.
Take it easy and avoid vigorous exercise immediately after the session. Walking, stretching, gentle yoga, or other gentle movements that align with your abilities and mobility are great options if you want to move after your session!⠀
Avoid drafts, sitting in front of fans or in windy places, or getting chilled, especially after a treatment. Cupping opens the pores and the channels, making the body vulnerable to attack from outside influence like wind and cold. From an East Asian medicine perspective, these environmental factors can trigger stiffness and pain and reduce the flow of energy and blood - so, steer clear and stay warm!
Avoid showering or swimming the rest of the day after your treatment. For the same reason that avoiding wind and cold is important, avoiding “dampness” from water and getting chilled from being wet is important!
If you have any soreness post-session or if your cupping marks are very dark, massaging arnica gel, cream, or oil or another pain-relieving cream into the area can help promote healing and reduce any discomfort. You can also use a heating pad or hot water bottle on the cupped areas to help promote circulation and relax the muscles.
What does the research show?
A 2012 review of 135 studies found that cupping therapy may help with the following conditions, among others:
According to the British Cupping Society, cupping therapy is used to treat:
Blood disorders such as anemia and hemophilia
Rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia
Fertility and gynecological disorders
Skin problems such as eczema and acne
Anxiety and depression
Bronchial congestion caused by allergies and asthma
References:
History of Chinese Cupping. Chinesecupping.com. Published 2021. https://www.chinesecupping.com/history_of_chinese_cupping.html
Igor Micunovic. The Art of Cupping Therapy. Wall Street International. Published March 24, 2019. https://wsimag.com/science-and-technology/51588-the-art-of-cupping-therapy
Kim. Constellation Acupuncture and Healing Arts. Constellation Acupuncture and Healing Arts. Published January 14, 2019. https://www.constellationacu.com/blog/cupping-self-care
Ansorge R. Cupping Therapy. WebMD. Published August 28, 2012. https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/cupping-therapy
Why Do Massage Therapists Always Tell Me to Drink Water? - Health Topics, Integrative Health and Medicine - Hackensack Meridian Health. Hackensack Meridian Health. Published July 17, 2018. https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/HealthU/2018/07/17/why-do-massage-therapists-always-tell/