The Movement Doc of Texas
Cupping Therapy in New Braunfels, TX
Myofascial decompression with dynamic suction and built-in red light — 30 minutes, $50, and you can book it on its own.
- 30-minute session
- Dynamic, not just static cups
- Red light included
Most hands-on therapy works by pressing into tissue. Cupping does the opposite — it lifts and decompresses. For tissue that feels stuck, sore, or congested after heavy training, that change in direction is often what makes the difference.
What It Is
Decompression rather than pressure.
Cups create negative pressure against the skin, lifting the superficial tissue and the fascia beneath it. That decompression is thought to improve local circulation and reduce the sense of tightness that comes with overuse and heavy training loads.
Our sessions are dynamic rather than static. Instead of leaving cups parked in one place for the whole session, suction is applied and released rhythmically and the cups are moved through the tissue. That alternation is what drives circulation, and it is why the session is active rather than something you lie still through.
The cups have red light built in, applied for inflammation and recovery alongside the decompression itself.
Commonly used for
- Muscle tightness after heavy training
- Delayed onset soreness
- Overuse in the shoulders, back, and hips
- Recovery between competition or training blocks
- Tissue that stays stiff despite stretching
The Marks
Yes, it can leave circles. No, they are not bruises.
The round marks people associate with cupping are not bruises in the usual sense — there is no impact and no crushed tissue. They come from blood drawn toward the surface under suction, and they are painless to the touch.
They typically fade over three to seven days. Darker marks tend to show up in areas that were more congested to begin with and usually lighten as tissue quality improves across sessions. Dynamic cupping generally leaves lighter marks than static cupping, because the cups keep moving.
If you have an event, a photo shoot, or a wedding coming up, say so when you book. Placement and intensity can be adjusted, or we can use another approach entirely.
What it costs
- Cupping only — $50, 30-minute session
- Dry needling + cupping — $100, 45-minute session
Cupping is also included within treatment sessions and packages as clinically appropriate, at no separate charge.
See the pricing page for packages, insurance, and HSA/FSA details.
What to Expect
How a 30-minute session runs
Find the area
A quick assessment of where tissue is restricted and how that relates to what you have been training or feeling.
Apply and move
Cups are placed and suction alternated rhythmically while they are guided through the tissue. You may be asked to move the limb as we work.
Red light
Red light is applied through the cups during treatment, aimed at inflammation and recovery.
Move afterward
Tissue responds better when you use the range you just gained. Expect light movement rather than rest for the remainder of the day.
In Context
Recovery tool, not a treatment plan
Cupping is genuinely useful for soreness, tightness, and recovery between hard sessions. What it will not do on its own is resolve an injury that has a strength or mechanics problem underneath it. If the same area keeps tightening up, the tightness is a symptom and something else is driving it.
That is why cupping most often pairs with dry needling for muscle tone and pain, joint mobilization to restore the motion the area is missing, and blood flow restriction training when strength is the limiting factor.
If you are not sure which you need, book an evaluation and we will tell you — including when the answer is that you do not need cupping at all.
Book cupping on its own
Unlike most of what we do, cupping does not require an evaluation first. If you know it helps you and you want a session between training blocks, book it directly.
FAQs
Common questions
Does cupping hurt?
Most people describe a strong pulling or tugging sensation rather than pain. Dynamic cupping over a tight area can be intense for a moment as the cup passes through it. Suction is adjustable, so tell your therapist if it is too much — there is no benefit to pushing through pain here.
How long do cupping marks last?
Usually three to seven days. Areas that were more congested tend to mark darker and take the longer end of that range. The marks are not tender and they fade on their own without treatment.
How often should I get cupping?
It depends what you are using it for. Athletes in a heavy training block often find every one to two weeks useful. If you are working through a specific injury, cupping is usually folded into your treatment sessions instead of booked separately.
Can I combine cupping with dry needling?
Yes, and it is a common pairing. The combined 45-minute session is $100. All dry needling at our clinic includes electrical stimulation.
Should I train after a cupping session?
Light movement is good. Most people do best avoiding a maximal session the same day, then returning to normal training the next. Ask your therapist about your specific plan if you are mid-competition.
Ready to book?
Cupping is $50 for 30 minutes, or $100 combined with dry needling, and it does not require an evaluation first.