Cupping Therapy
North Shore Auckland
Dry and fire cupping by CMCNZ-registered acupuncturists at our Rosedale and Milford clinics. Cupping is done within your acupuncture session, so there is no extra charge. Hurt yourself? ACC covers acupuncture for most injuries and you do not need a GP referral.
Quick Answer
Auckland Wellness Centre offers dry and fire cupping at Rosedale and Milford on Auckland's North Shore. It is done by CMCNZ-registered acupuncturists within an acupuncture session, with no separate fee. ACC acupuncture is no surcharge to $20 per visit depending on the practitioner, and private sessions start at $40. We do not offer standalone cupping appointments or wet cupping.
What We Do
Cupping at Auckland Wellness Centre
Cupping is one of the tools our acupuncturists use. It comes into your session when your acupuncturist thinks it suits the problem, usually tight muscles across the back, neck and shoulders.
Dry Cupping
Silicone or glass cups placed on the skin with gentle suction. The cups usually stay on for 5 to 10 minutes.
Fire Cupping
A traditional method using glass cups. A flame briefly warms the air inside the cup and is taken away before the cup goes on, so the flame never touches your skin.
Part of Your Acupuncture Session
Cupping is not booked as a separate service. It sits inside your ACC or private acupuncture session, with no extra charge either way.
Who Does It
Our Cupping Practitioners
Our acupuncture team is led by Dr Robin Won PhD and Dr Boram Kim PhD. Every acupuncturist is registered with the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand and with ACC.
Elaine Yang
Acupuncturist, CMCNZ registered. Jinan University, 12 years in practice. English and Mandarin.
Ada Zhong
Acupuncturist, CMCNZ registered. Chengdu University of TCM, 10 years in practice. English and Mandarin.
Zhiyi (Cash) Qian
Acupuncturist, CMCNZ registered. Master of Medicine, Shanghai University of TCM. English and Mandarin.
First Visit
What Happens at Your Visit
Book an acupuncture session
Choose ACC if you were injured, or private if you were not. Mention cupping in the booking notes if you would like it.
Talk it through
Your acupuncturist asks where it hurts, how long it has been going on and what you have tried, then checks the area.
Treatment
Acupuncture first, with cupping added if it suits. Cups usually stay on for 5 to 10 minutes.
Aftercare
You get simple advice for the rest of the day, and a plan for whether and when to come back.
Fees
Cupping Cost and ACC
Cupping has no separate fee. You pay for the acupuncture session it is part of.
For injuries. No GP referral. No surcharge with Mike Lee, Elaine Yang and Ada Zhong, $10 with Zhiyi Qian, $20 with Dr Robin Won and Dr Boram Kim. Cupping included.
Book an Acupuncture Session
Full assessment and first treatment for problems that are not from an injury. Cupping included when it suits.
Book an Acupuncture Session
30 min $40, 45 min $60, 60 min $70. Cupping included when it suits.
Book an Acupuncture Session
ACC: one of our chiropractors assesses the injury and lodges the claim at your first visit, then your acupuncture runs under that claim.
Aftercare
Cupping Marks and Aftercare
Cupping marks
Round marks where the cups sat are common. They usually fade over several days and sometimes take up to two weeks. They are not usually sore. Got a wedding or a beach day coming up? Tell us and we can place the cups elsewhere or skip them.
After your session
A warm shower later the same day is fine. For the rest of the day skip very hot showers, saunas, spas and hard training, and keep the area covered and warm.
What it feels like
A firm pulling or tight feeling under the cup. It should not be sharp. Say so at any time and your acupuncturist will ease the suction or take the cup off.
Safety
Who Should Not Have Cupping
Tell your acupuncturist before treatment if any of these apply to you. We will leave cupping out or work around the area.
- You take blood thinners such as warfarin
- You have a bleeding or clotting disorder
- Broken, irritated or sunburnt skin, or a skin condition over the area
- Varicose veins in the area
- You are pregnant (no cups on the belly or lower back)
- Recent surgery near the area
Compare
Cupping vs Massage
| Cupping at AWC | Massage | |
|---|---|---|
| Who does it | A CMCNZ-registered acupuncturist | A massage therapist |
| How it works | Cups lift the skin and muscle with suction | Hands press and knead the muscle |
| Booked as | Part of an acupuncture session | A massage session |
| ACC | Covered within ACC acupuncture for injuries | Depends on the provider |
| Marks afterwards | Round marks are common | Usually none |
We offer both at Rosedale. If you are not sure which suits you, call us and we will point you the right way.
Where
Our Two North Shore Clinics
Rosedale
E2/27 William Pickering Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632
09 600 1939
Elaine Yang and Ada Zhong offer cupping. Free parking, 5 minutes from Albany.
Milford
177B Shakespeare Road, Milford, Auckland 0620
09 281 3687
Ada Zhong and Zhiyi Qian offer cupping. On-site parking.
Questions
Cupping FAQ
How much does cupping cost?
Can I book cupping on its own?
Does ACC cover cupping?
How long do cupping marks last?
Does cupping hurt?
Can I shower after cupping?
How often should I have cupping?
Who should not have cupping?
What is fire cupping?
Do you offer wet cupping?
What is the difference between cupping and massage?
Where can I get cupping on the North Shore?
Prepared by the Auckland Wellness Centre acupuncture team, led by Dr Robin Won PhD and Dr Boram Kim PhD. Last updated: October 2026