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A catchy line about cupping is not an explanation. These questions help you understand the method, its limits and how your response will be judged.

Certainty in a headline

Bold cupping slogans can make the practice sound like a ready-made answer before anyone has looked at the problem. A genuinely informative explanation does more: it separates the different methods, admits limitations and leaves space for questions. However confident the wording, a slogan cannot tell you how cupping will work in your own situation.

When you see Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, about cupping in Lane Cove, the conversation begins with your concern rather than a catchphrase.

Agreeing on purpose and review

Before a session, talk through what you hope cupping might help with and how you will both judge whether it is worth continuing. A useful aim might be easier movement in a stiff shoulder or more comfort after long days at a desk.

• What type of cup will be used: glass, silicone or plastic?
• Will the cups stay still or be moved across the skin?
• How strong will the suction be, and can it be lighter?
• What does an unfamiliar term in the explanation mean?

Can you explain it back?

A handy test is whether you could describe the plan to a friend in your own words. If not, ask again. Your understanding should be concrete, without relying on promises that an illness will simply be drawn out of the body.

Measuring what matters

Choose an everyday activity or symptom to discuss at follow-up, and add how comfortable the session felt and how quickly your skin settled. Marks are a single observation; decisions about continuing should return to your goal, your response and other options.

Bring the advertisement

If a particular slogan or post prompted your interest, bring it to the Lane Cove clinic. Christine can discuss what it claims, what is realistic and how that compares with the approach she would propose for you, so your decision rests on information rather than marketing.