Cupping Therapy
The Subtle Point specializes in treating a wide variety of pains through the use of cupping, Tuina massage, gua sha muscle scraping, to help relieve pain, loosen up muscle knots, and to improve circulation.
How does cupping therapy work?
Scientifically cupping has been shown to work by stimulating blood flow into tissues, dilating blood vessels, and rupturing capillaries (that is where the cupping marks come from). When the capillaries rupture, macrophages (a type of white blood cell) clean up the erythrocytes (a red blood cell) by stimulating the production of an enzyme called Heme Oxygenase-1. When this enzyme breaks down the red blood cells into carbon monoxide, ferrous iron, biliverdin, and bilirubin. These 4 compounds have been shown to have antioxidative, anti inflammatory, anti proliferative (prevents the spread of cells, especially malignant cells, from spreading), and neuromodulatory (nerve regulation) effects. Some studies show that the feelings of relaxation and pain relief comes from the stimulation and release of endogenous opioids from cupping.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388117304024
How long do the cupping marks last for?
Is cupping therapy safe? Who should get cupping?
Studies show that cupping is generally considered to be safe when conducted by a trained professional and adverse events usually arise through carelessness or inexperience. Cupping should be done with caution on patients with a history of: a bleeding disorder like hemophillia, deep vein thrombosis, stroke, skin disorders, organ failure.
What is cupping?
What does cupping therapy treat?
Cupping is most often used to treat muscle aches and tension, but it can also be used to treat:
- Stress and anxiety
- Asthma and bronchitis
- Certain types of headaches and migraines
- Certain types of arthritis
- Stretch marks
- Cellulite
- Range of motion issues
Where do the cups go?
What are the side effects of cupping therapy?
What to Expect During Your Cupping Treatment
Tuina Massage
At the beginning of the treatment you can expect Tuina on your specific muscle knots and problem areas
Slide Cupping
This technique improves circulation, and relaxes muscle knots and tight muscles.
Stationary Cupping
The cups are usually left on for around 10 minutes and you can expect your muscles to relax and release
Relaxation
At the end of a cupping treatment over 90% of patients feel more relaxed and flexible
Our Prices
60 Minute Initial Cupping Treatment
Your first treatment will begin with an exam and we will discuss all areas of discomfort, and explain how cupping works. Your treatment will include a warm up with massage tools, tuina style massage, and several different cupping techniques
$50
60 Minute Cupping Treatment
Our hour cupping treatments are recommended for patients that want to have multiple problem areas of their body to be addressed. These treatments can include a longer warm up phase with massage tools, tuina, and photobiomodulation.
$80
30 Minute Cupping Treatment
Half hour cupping treatments are recommended for patients that want one or two areas of their body to be addressed. These sessions will start with a quick warm up with massage tools or tuina and photobiomodulation.
$50
Over 290 Five Star Reviews

41 Five Star Reviews
Great experience. I do the 90 minute acupuncture and cupping combo. I usually go in with moderate to severe back pain and leave pain free. Mike does a great job explaining things…
– Emily L.

244 Five Star Reviews
Wonderful experience! Mike was amazing and truly cares about your health and healing. He offered lots of time to ask questions and discuss my issues. He also offered great sugges…
– Erin

8 Five Star Reviews

Michael is very knowledgeable..I’m a very hardworking Hair Stylist and since he has been treating my aching back I feel 20years Younger and so much out of pain.
– Nikki Sanchez
Our Patient's Cupping Testimonials
Had an excellent experience. I have been telling everyone how much I enjoyed cupping and I had not experienced it before
-Carson
I'm really glad I did this deal. All of the mental stress and exhaustion was gone by the time I got home from doing the acupuncture. My organs felt much more clearer from the acupuncture as well. The cupping really helped resolve a lot of my problem areas such as lower back pain and especially shoulder pain. The pain immediately subsided and I felt I was given a new body. Michael thoroughly asked questions to help ensure all my problem areas were addressed and gave detailed info on how to fix them. Highly recommend.
-Nali
Michael was very knowledgeable and professional. It was a very nice experience. We discussed regarding healthy food I am eating He recommended some food to try to help me with my weight and stress. It was a very productive discussion about stress, food. He also told me about cupping and what he’s doing next and if I was comfortable. I really recommend him.
-Mitsuko
This is part of my getting services while Black series. I booked my appointment through Groupon. I was on the search for acupuncture and cupping. I 100% recommend coming to see Michael. As soon as we sat down Michael made me feel comfortable. He asked me great questions about why I was there and what I was looking for. Even though i told him this wasn't my first time, he went over what would happen and made sure i didn't have questions. Michael treats for everything!! We had awesome conversation about kerif and other gut health foods. I learned a lot from him about why i was experiencing pain and how i could manage and prevent pain. Having the acupuncture and cupping in one session was new to me but i like it a lot. I was really relaxed and felt my muscles were relaxed before we started the cupping. The space was clean and could tell Michael takes extra care to make sure things are clean. I did not feel uncomfortable even once and 100% will suggest Subtle point to everyone I know wanting to incorporate eastern medicine into their lives. Overall, awesome experience getting services.
- Desa
Really wonderful experience with cupping and acupuncture. I felt attended to and had pain relief right away. Would come back again.
-Sarah
Mike is great!! Great service overall. I was having severe back pain and the Groupon had acupuncture, message guns, and cupping. I would highly recommend.
-Abigail
Mike was great! He explained everything and was very communicative about acupuncture and cupping processes. He also provided lots of recommendations continued treatments and for pain/stress management. This was a great experience and I plan to return!
-Kelsey
Wow. Best acupuncture, massage, cupping I have ever experienced. I highly recommend. Will be back. I found my spot. Awesome
-Laurie
Mike was amazing and so knowledgeable and professional. It was my first time cupping, so I was a little nervous, and he made me feel very comfortable. I will likely be purchasing a package in the future!
- Alexis
Mike was amazing. He made me feel very comfortable and at home. The Accupuncture and cupping worked wonders!!! I will most definitely be back!
-Kelsey
Service was above and beyond. I thought I was going in for cupping but got so much more. My back feels great! I have already scheduled my next appointment.
- Stormy
Michael was so kind and helped my pain out tremendously! I went for cupping and it was my first time going, so I was a little nervous, but overall my experience was wonderful and I definitely plan on going back!
-Morgan
Literally life changing. Better than any deep tissue massage I’ve ever had. Cupping is my new go-to. Michael knows what he’s doing.
-Whitney
Far above and beyond just a cupping session
-Ashley
Michael really took his time to get to know what I needed. The cupping was awesome and I felt a lot better after! I would definitely recommend if you have any pain in your back, legs, shoulders, etc.
-Elise
FANTASTIC! It was my first time doing anything like this- Chris went above & beyond for my cupping treatment. He did acupuncture, massage, & cupping in the hour I was there. He's incredibly knowledgeable & warm- made me feel at ease right away. The experience was so relaxing- I didn't even realize my back was tight until I left- feeling amazing! I'm now forcing all of my friends to make appointments as well! promise you won't be disappointed.
-Kim
This was a great experience. I highly recommend. I had bad pains in my neck and shoulders. Cupping really did relieve the pain
-Susan
Mike was a great experience. For my friends and I’s first time experiencing cupping, it was a great environment and he really takes the time to understand your circumstances. Will definitely be going back!
-Bella
Mike was awesome. I had cupping done on my back and had immediate relief. Mike was extremely attentive making sure that every problem I had with my back was addressed. I will definitely come back and recommend to all my friends.
-Katie
Mike was great! Cupping helped loosen all the tension in my back. Great first experience for my bf as well. Thank you!
- Marzena
Mike was absolutely amazing and I left our first session together feeling so grounded and in less pain than I had arrived in. I went in for an initial consult for acupuncture and dry cupping. The acupuncture was great- I previously had a bad experience with another practitioner whose sessions left me anxious and in pain from her work. I confided in Mike about this and he put my worries at ease right away. His needlework is fantastic and he was great about answering all my questions. The cupping session was fantastic as well! I’m very active every day and had pulled part of my back near my rib cage. I left the cupping session feeling so much better than when I had entered and felt like I was able to finally sit up straight without the discomfort from my back. I would recommend him to anyone. It’s important to find people in this industry like Mike who are grounded, empathetic, and kind.
- Miranda Leen
I got my neck cranked pretty hard in jiu jitsu a couple months ago and had some pretty bad nerve issues/pain around the neck and shoulder. I decided to visit Mike at The Subtle Point to give acupuncture a try to see if it might help. After a few sessions I started to feel way better and actually started to heal. I also got some cupping done which helped with some muscle soreness as well. It was amazingly relaxing and after a few sessions the pain was gone. Not sure why I waited this long in life to try it, definitely helped the healing process for me and Mike was great to work with.
- Duane Kibbee
My sister and I came here for an acupuncture and cupping session. I used to do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu heavily and have always wanted to try this since many of my fighter friends swear by it. Plus, I'm determined to have some Real Housewives like experiences with the little sis as a COVID distraction.
Mike, the owner, treated us both. Neither of us had ever done it before so we didn't know what it would mean to answer what we would like to work on. Logically, that would make sense but how could we guess where those needles would go?! We settled on getting Mike's help with anxiety and back pain which called for needles in the forehead, legs and stomach. Mike walked us through every step and distracted us from spontaneous combustion from nervous laughing at the sight of those needles with some solid banter. Just all around, so nice.
The cupping was such a weird sensation! At first I didn't think I continue this but as Mike assured me, it didn't hurt after a while and could no longer feel it. Some parts of your back will hurt less than others (the fatty love handles were a B-I). He took it easy since this was my first time trying it and I still wanted a little more relief in my back so he added a moving cup treatment which did the trick.
On a side note, I mentioned casually at some point being a bit disappointed by some of the options for "ethnic food" in Denver coming from New York and wanting to get back into BJJ. I left his office with a gym recommendation as well as a handwritten list of places I could go to for authentic food. Too sweet! Obviously, I would go back, I plan to go back and highly encourage you to try it as well. I definitely want to support this new business.
- Jessica O.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it hurt?
One style of tuina massage that I perform is a little painful, but is only performed for about a minute in order to release a muscle knot. If you want to avoid any pain all together I can go more gentle or skip this all together.
The slide cupping can hurt if it is your first time or if your muscles are extremely tight, but the purpose is to bring circulation and relaxation to a broad area and to cover the areas that the stationary cups miss.
The stationary cupping can cause your back to feel very tight in the beginning. After just a few minutes you can expect the cups to feel like they are loosening up. This feeling is a sign that your muscles are relaxing, and fyi they will not actually fall off in 99% of situations.
How Many treatments does it take?
How long is each treatment?
Do i need to disrobe for my treatment?
How can I schedule an appointment?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Do you accept insurance?
Location
3600 South Beeler Street Suite 150
Denver, CO 80237
Make an Appointment
To make an appointment please click the link below or call (720) 285-6251
Open Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12pm - 8pm
Saturday: 10am - 7pm