Cupping Therapy

Cupping Therapy

Cupping is a type of alternative therapy that originated in China. It involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. The suction may facilitate healing with blood flow.

Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This may relieve muscle tension, which can improve overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue.

Different types of cupping

Cupping was originally performed using animal horns.
Later, the “cups” were made from bamboo and then ceramic.
Modern cupping is often performed using glass cups that are rounded like balls and open on one end.

  • There are two main categories of cupping performed today:

Dry cupping is a suction-only method:-

In the traditional method, your therapist will put a flammable substance inside the cup such as paper, alcohol, or herbs, and ignite it briefly. As the fire fades, the cup is placed upside down on your skin. The cup cools, creating a vacuum that raises your skin up into the cup. Shortly after, your skin will redden and the blood vessels will expand. The cup is left in place for about three minutes. Modern methods will use vacuum pumps instead of flammables to produce the cupping effect.

Wet cupping:-

It may involve both suction and controlled medicinal bleeding.

Wet cupping is a variation of the procedure where prior to the cup being placed, your skin is punctured and blood is drawn out in the suction process. There is also a variation where the dry cupping technique is done before puncturing your skin for wet cupping.

What conditions can cupping treat?

  • Cupping has been used to treat a wide variety of conditions. It may be particularly effective at easing conditions that create muscle aches and pains.
  • Since the cups can also be applied to major acupressure points, the practice is possibly effective at treating digestive issues, skin issues, and other conditions commonly treated with acupressure.

    Cupping therapy may help with the following conditions, among others :-
  • shingles
  • facial paralysis

How does cupping work?

  • Cupping uses a cup to pull an area of skin into a suction that decompresses muscles and connective tissue.
  • This promotes blood flow to the compromised area, enhances circulation and helps to increase the body’s own healing processes — almost like a backward deep tissue massage.
  • There are several different types of cups ranging from glass to silicone and bamboo, and there are different ways to use them.
  • Sometimes practitioners will only use one or two cups. Other times, they’ll cover your entire back with cups. Two popular types of cupping: stationary and sliding.

Effects

  1. Skin: Improved metabolism in skin tissue, better functioning of sebaceous and sweat glands, improved healing and improved skin resistance.
  2. Muscles: Stimulates blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
  3. Joints: Increased blood flow and secretion of synovial fluid.
  4. Digestive system: Increased peristalsis and secretion of digestive fluids, better digestion and excretion.
  5. Blood: Improved blood circulation, improved functioning of RBC and WBC.

Side Effects

  • There aren’t many side effects associated with cupping. The side effects you may experience will typically occur during your treatment or immediately after.
  • You may feel lightheaded or dizzy during your treatment. You may also experience sweating or nausea.
  • After treatment, the skin around the rim of the cup may become irritated and marked in a circular pattern. You may also have pain at incision sites or feel lightheaded or dizzy shortly after your session.

Contraindications

  • Excessive dry or cracked skin
  • Open wound or ulcer
  • Fractured bone
  • Dislocated joint
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Severe Anemia
  • Muscle dystrophy

Indications

Cupping therapy is indicated for both healthy patients (Anti-ageing treatment, Rejuvenation purpose) and those suffering from ailments. Localized ailments that benefit from cupping therapy include a Headache, Lower back pain, Neck pain, and knee pain. Systemic illnesses that have seen benefits with cupping therapy include Hypertension, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes mellitus, mental disorders, Heart disease, Infections.