Tight shoulders or a lower back that will not let go? Cupping lifts the tissue instead of pressing into it, and at our Cedar Hill practice Lewis Bell, LMT, adds it to any massage for $15, so you get both in one visit.
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Cupping therapy is a bodywork technique that uses suction cups to lift the skin and the soft tissue under it, instead of pressing down the way hands do in a massage. At Healing Hands in Cedar Hill we use silicone and glass cups and practice dry cupping only. Nothing breaks the skin, and there are no needles.
The difference you feel is direction. A deep tissue massage pushes into a tight muscle; a cup pulls upward on it, so most people describe a strong, slow stretch rather than pressure. The suction also draws blood toward the surface, which is where the round marks come from. You may read about "wet cupping" online, which involves small cuts in the skin. We do not offer it.
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Cupping at Healing Hands is added to a massage, not booked on its own. You choose your massage, add cupping for $15, and Lewis uses the cups during your session on the areas that need them, usually the upper back, shoulders, lower back or legs.
Pick your massage first: Swedish, deep tissue, trigger point, sports or lymphatic drainage. Then add cupping. When you arrive, Lewis asks where you feel tight and a few health questions that decide whether cupping is safe for you that day. If the answer is no, he will tell you and give you your massage without it.
Lewis warms the muscles with his hands first, then places the cups. You feel the suction grab and lift, which is firm but should never feel sharp; ask for less and he will reduce it on the spot. Afterward most people feel loose, the skin shows round marks, and some notice mild tenderness the next day, much like after a firm massage.
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Cupping costs $15 as an add-on to any massage at Healing Hands, or you can choose it inside two 80 minute packages. Here is what a visit with cupping costs.
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Most people book cupping for muscle tightness and everyday aches in the back, neck, shoulders and legs, and research suggests it can reduce pain intensity. The evidence is real but limited, and we would rather tell you that than oversell it.
A 2025 review in BMJ Open found cupping reduced pain intensity in chronic muscle and joint pain, with moderate quality evidence, but did not significantly improve daily function or mental wellbeing (Jia et al., 2025). A 2024 review of low back pain trials found pain improved by the end of treatment, with mixed results at longer follow-up (Zhang et al., 2024). A 2025 review of 72 trials reported pain benefits while rating every included trial at high risk of bias (Wang et al., 2025).
So here is what we offer. Cupping at Healing Hands is part of a massage, for comfort and for releasing tight areas that hands alone struggle to lift. It is not a treatment for any disease or injury, and results vary from person to person.
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The round marks cupping leaves come from blood drawn toward the surface by the suction, and they usually fade within about 7 to 14 days, according to Cleveland Clinic. They can look like bruises, though most people find them far less tender.
Color varies from faint pink to dark purple, and stronger suction or longer placement usually means darker marks. If you have a wedding, a pool day or photos coming up, tell Lewis before your session and he will use lighter suction or avoid areas that will show. Book your next cupping session after the last marks have faded.
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Cupping suits most healthy adults with muscle tightness who are comfortable with temporary marks on the skin. It is not for everyone, and some people need their doctor's clearance first.
Before booking
You take blood thinners or have a bleeding or clotting disorder. You are pregnant. You have a history of deep vein thrombosis, or varicose veins where the cups would go. You have sunburn, a rash, an open wound, an active skin condition or a new tattoo in that area. You have a fever or an infection. You had surgery in that area recently. You have diabetes or another condition that slows skin healing.
Tell us when you book. We would rather give you a massage without cupping than work outside what is safe for you.
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Omg I feel first, SO RELAXED, and second, MUCH BETTER! As a massage therapist myself, it’s sometimes difficult to find a therapist because we’re critical. However, when you find that one…you hold on for dear life! I think I found that one! Lewis’ technique is intuitive, and he listens to you and your body’s needs. I was very impressed. I’m definitely getting a membership and I’m excited to stay on top of my much needed self care! Thank you Lewis!
Lewis did an incredible job addressing my muscular tightness and tension. I suffer from cervical dystonia, and he was very familiar with muscular imbalance and asymmetry in the area in which I suffer greatly. I felt immediate relief. His pressure was firm yet comfortable. The atmosphere was calm and the aromas very spa- like which I appreciate. Lewis was also very professional and accommodating. If I lived here I would definitely schedule regular services. Highly recommend !
Lewis at Healing Hands was amazing! He made me feel comfortable right away and really focused on the areas that needed the most attention. The pressure was perfect, and he knew exactly how to work out my tension. The space was relaxing and professional, which made the whole experience even better. I left feeling refreshed and will definitely be booking with Lewis again!
Every session at Healing Hands is performed by Lewis Bell personally. This is a solo practice, so the person who reads your intake is the person who does the work, every visit.
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Healing Hands is on the 4th floor at 610 Uptown Blvd in Cedar Hill and welcomes clients from Duncanville, DeSoto, Red Oak, Midlothian, Glenn Heights, Waxahachie, Mansfield and Dallas. See all the nearby towns we serve.
Healing Hands Holistic Care, LLC
610 Uptown Blvd, 4th Floor, Suite 4200
Cedar Hill, TX 75104
(469) 415-4476
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Wednesday | 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM |
| Thursday and Friday | 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM |
| Saturday | 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
| Sunday | By appointment only. Surcharge may apply. Call to confirm. |
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At Healing Hands, cupping costs $15 added to any massage. A 25 minute Swedish, trigger point or sports massage with cupping is $90, and a 50 minute deep tissue massage with cupping is $125. For a longer visit, The Melt Down is 80 minutes for $140 and The Drain & Define is 80 minutes for $115, and both let you choose cupping as part of the package. There is no standalone cupping session, because the cups work best alongside hands-on massage.
Healing Hands does not bill insurance for cupping or massage. We do accept FSA and HSA cards, along with major credit cards, debit cards and cash. Whether your FSA or HSA plan treats a session as eligible depends on your plan's own rules and any paperwork it asks for. We cannot check coverage on your behalf, so contact your plan administrator before you book if paying through the plan matters to you.
Many people find cupping relieving, and research reviews report reduced pain intensity in trials on back and muscle pain, but it is not a cure for anything. The same reviews note that much of the research is at high risk of bias, and that it did not show clear gains in daily function. At Healing Hands we offer cupping as part of a massage for comfort and tightness, and we tell every client honestly that results vary from person to person.
The main downsides are the round marks, which usually fade in one to two weeks, and some next-day tenderness where the cups were placed. People with sensitive skin sometimes notice itching or irritation. Anyone who takes blood thinners, has a bleeding or clotting disorder, is pregnant, or has broken or irritated skin in the area should check with their doctor first. Tell Lewis about your health before the session and he will adjust or skip the cups.
It varies. Many people feel looser the same day, and how long that lasts depends on what is causing the tightness, how active you are and how your body responds. In research on low back pain, the clearest improvement showed by the end of a course of treatment, with mixed results further out. If you enjoy it, add cupping to a massage again once your marks have faded rather than expecting one session to fix a long-standing problem.
Yes. Book a deep tissue massage and add cupping for $15, or book The Melt Down, an 80 minute deep tissue session for $140 where you choose cupping or hot stones, finished with our calm balm. Lewis uses his hands to work into tight muscles and the cups to lift the areas that need a stretch, all in one visit, and he can adjust the suction at any point if it feels like too much.
Yes. Healing Hands is at 610 Uptown Blvd, 4th Floor, Suite 4200, in Cedar Hill, and we welcome clients from Duncanville, DeSoto, Red Oak, Midlothian, Glenn Heights, Waxahachie, Mansfield and Dallas. Call (469) 415-4476 if you want help choosing an appointment time that fits your drive. Keep in mind that Thursday and Friday appointments are mornings only and Saturday appointments are in the evening.
One therapist, attentive scheduling
Healing Hands is a one-therapist practice, and every appointment is followed by a cleaning buffer, so there are only a limited number of sessions each day. Thursday and Friday are mornings only and Saturday is evenings only. If you want cupping on a particular day, book ahead.
Evidence used on this page
References checked on September 25, 2026.
