How much is cupping therapy in Calgary

Myofascial cupping at Renu costs $120 for 60 minutes or $157 for 90 minutes, the same rates as our Registered Massage Therapist massage, because the cupping is done within an RMT session. Fire cupping is offered by Dr. Will Tanner and does not have its own line on our price list, so ask about it when you book with him. Research on cupping is mostly low quality, so it is worth trying with modest expectations.

Cupping therapy at Renu costs $120 for an hour or $157 for 90 minutes. Those are the same prices as our RMT massage, because myofascial cupping happens inside a massage session rather than as a stand-alone add-on. Fire cupping, a different and more traditional technique, is offered by Dr. Will Tanner. Here is how the pricing works, what to expect afterward, and what the research does and does not support.

Cupping prices at Renu

Myofascial cupping is listed with two session lengths.

Appointment	Length	Price
Myofascial cupping	60 min	$120
Myofascial cupping	90 min	$157

Monica Von Gaza, a Registered Massage Therapist, lists myofascial cupping among her credentials, alongside RAPID NeuroFascial Reset and lymphatic massage.

There is no separate cupping surcharge. Within the session, your therapist decides with you how much of the time goes to cups and how much to hands-on massage.

Myofascial cupping or fire cupping: how each is paid for

The two kinds of cupping are booked differently, and the difference matters when you plan your budget.

Myofascial cupping uses cups that create suction on the skin. They can be left in one place or glided over oiled skin, which Cleveland Clinic calls running cupping. At Renu it is booked as its own 60- or 90-minute session at massage rates, and you receive an RMT receipt.

Fire cupping uses glass cups heated briefly with a flame to create suction. Will Tanner, our RMT and acupuncturist, offers it. Fire cupping does not have its own row on our price list, so ask about it when you book an appointment with Will, or call the clinic and we will help you choose the right booking.

For a fuller comparison of the techniques themselves, see myofascial cupping vs fire cupping.

Choosing between 60 and 90 minutes

Most people find 60 minutes enough for one or two regions, such as the upper back and shoulders or the low back and hips. Cleveland Clinic notes that providers typically place three to five cups in a session, occasionally up to seven, so a single area does not need a long appointment.

Ninety minutes is worth the extra $37 if:

• you want cupping and massage across several areas;
• it is your first session and you would like a slower pace with time to talk;
• you are combining cupping with work on the hips and legs as well as the back.

If you are deciding between cupping and other forms of deep work, our page on cupping vs deep tissue massage may help.

What the research says about value

It is fair to know what the evidence shows before you spend money on cupping. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says that most cupping research is of low quality; cupping may help reduce pain, but the evidence for this is not very strong, and for other conditions there is not enough good research to draw conclusions.

Two systematic reviews add some detail:

• A 2018 review in BMJ Open of 18 trials found cupping reduced neck pain compared with no treatment or other treatments, and as an add-on; the authors said low-quality evidence meant definitive conclusions could not be drawn.
• A 2020 review of 21 trials of dry cupping found low-quality evidence of pain reduction for chronic neck pain and non-specific low back pain, and moderate-quality evidence of better function for chronic neck pain, again with a call for better trials.

Our view: cupping is a reasonable tool to try for muscle tension and pain within a massage session, priced the same as massage, as long as no one promises more than the research supports.

Marks, aftercare and side effects

Cupping leaves marks, and that is expected rather than a sign of injury. Cleveland Clinic says the round red marks should fade in a week or two, and lists bruising, skin tightness and mild soreness as common after-effects. Our page on how long cupping marks last goes into the colours and timing.

Less common side effects, according to NCCIH and Cleveland Clinic, include persistent skin discoloration, scars, burns from heated cups, infections, headaches, fatigue and nausea. Cupping may also worsen eczema or psoriasis. NCCIH warns that using the same equipment on more than one person without sterilization between clients can spread bloodborne infections such as hepatitis B and C, so it is reasonable to ask any clinic how its cups are cleaned.

When to check with your doctor first

Some people should not have cupping, or should get medical advice before booking. Cleveland Clinic lists pregnancy, anemia, bleeding disorders, cardiovascular disease, skin conditions such as eczema, and seizure disorders as reasons cupping may not be appropriate.

Talk to your doctor first if you:

• are pregnant (see cupping while pregnant);
• take blood thinners or bruise easily;
• have a heart condition or a seizure disorder;
• have active eczema or psoriasis where the cups would go.

If fire cupping is what you are curious about, our page on whether fire cupping is safe covers burns and how the flame is handled.

Booking cupping at Renu

Myofascial cupping is booked online through Jane under myofascial cupping, or by phone. For fire cupping, book with Will through our acupuncture or massage listings and mention it. Our West Hillhurst clinic is open seven days. More on the treatment itself is on our myofascial cupping page.

Questions people ask

Is cupping more expensive than a regular massage?

Not at Renu. A 60-minute myofascial cupping session is $120 and 90 minutes is $157, exactly what the same length of RMT massage costs. You are paying for the therapist's time, and cupping is one of the tools used in it.

Can I claim cupping on my benefits?

Myofascial cupping is delivered by a Registered Massage Therapist within a massage session, so it is receipted as massage therapy. Whether your plan pays depends on its massage benefit and limits.

Should I book 60 or 90 minutes of cupping?

Sixty minutes suits one or two regions, such as the upper back and shoulders. Ninety minutes gives room for cupping and massage across several areas, or a slower pace for a first session.

How long will the cupping marks last?

Cleveland Clinic says the round red marks should fade in a week or two. Plan around events where they would show, such as a wedding or a beach trip.

Sources

1. NCCIH: Cupping
2. Cleveland Clinic: Cupping therapy
3. BMJ Open (2018): Is cupping therapy effective in patients with neck pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis
4. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (2020): Dry cupping for musculoskeletal pain and range of motion, a systematic review and meta-analysis

Page reviewed October 5, 2026. This page is education, not a diagnosis. For your own situation, talk to your doctor, surgeon or care team, or ask us.