Cupping therapy has been in use for a very long time and dated to China where it was first applied with cattle horns or bamboo cross-sections. To create a vacuum inside the horn or bamboo, these old “cups” are cooked in water or fire were ignited to expel air and suck the cups against the skin. The cuppings were mainly used to extract pus and blood in the treatment of diseases. Cupping was originally used as an aid in traditional Chinese surgery. It later proved useful in the treatment of other diseases and became a special therapeutic method.
The first discovery of cupping was in a tomb of the Han Dynasty where Bo Shu (an ancient book on silk) was found. Some other ancient texts mention Chinese medicine cupping. Several centuries later, another famous doctor, Su Sen Liang Fang, registered an effective cure for chronic cough and the successful treatment of venomous snake bites using cupping therapy.
Thanks to the clinical experience accumulated over several thousand years, the clinical applications of cupping have become even wider. Cupping is used to treat diseases like arthritis, asthma, colds, chronic cough, indigestion and certain skin problem in Chinese medicine.
The Cupping therapy is a safe, fast and effective pain relief technique since it improves the blood circulation in the locally affected area (anatomically) as well as the blood circulation of Qi (energy) via the acupuncture meridians. As soon as your energy/blood flow has returned to normal, all causes of pain are eliminated and the symptoms disappear.
The cups used in Cupping therapy made from:
- Glass
- Bamboo
- Ethenware
- Silicone
Cupping therapy is now trending recently, but not new. It comes from ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Oriental cultures.
Contraindications to cupping:
- Skin areas with ulcers, edema or tenderness.
- Patients with high fever and / or cramps.
- Pregnant women should not have Cupping therapy on their belly or sacral regions.
- You should never make Cupping therapy on your face.
- Although cupping is generally safe it can be done wrong in certain circumstances, make sure the therapist you are going to is a properly trained TCM doctor.
Types of cupping
How the dry cupping works is that a cotton ball is dipped in a flammable substance like alcohol. The cotton ball is burned and used to heat the cups. As soon as the cup is well heated, it is immediately placed on the patient’s skin. When the skin lifts, the cup closes completely. The heat creates a vacuum, which creates a small breath on the skin and muscles. The cup can remain in this position for a few minutes before it is safely removed. In the “moving tank” method, the cups are not held in one position but are moved evenly over different areas. The therapist first applies oil or cream to the skin before applying the cups. Reddened areas are caused by the suction and expansion of blood vessels.
The suction cup therapist makes small skin incisions on damp suction cups. The aspiration is repeated to collect small amounts of blood. This is the most effective. To do this, needles must be inserted before the cup is placed on the skin.
Cupping Therapy Procedure
During Cupping therapy, a cup is placed on the skin and then heated or suctioned off the skin. The cup is often heated over a fire with alcohol, herbs or paper before it is being placed directly on your skin. Some modern suction cup practitioners are now using rubber pumps to create suction compared to conventional heating methods. Immediately the hot cup is placed on your skin, the air present in cup cools down and a vacuum is created which is used to the skin and muscles into the cup. After this is done, the skin may turn red due to the fact that the blood vessels respond to the change in pressure.
With dry suction cups, the cup is set up for a defined period, usually between 5 and 10 minutes. But with wet cupping type, after the cups are placed, a small incision is being carried out by the doctor to draw blood. In order to avoid loss of blood, the doctor covers the previously cut areas with ointment and bandages, this helps to prevent infections. Note: After the whole therapy, bruising or other light spots would fade within 10 days of the session.
Cupping therapy is sometimes done with acupuncture treatments. For best results, it is ideal to eat light meals two to three hours before going for the therapy.
Cupping Therapy Benefits
- Get rid of the toxins that have accumulated in the tissues.
- Relaxes the body by releasing tense and knotted muscles.
- Reduces inflammation.
- It improves immune function by fighting flu, colds, and allergies.
- Improves performance by stimulating the flow of energy through the body.
Cupping therapy and pain relief
Cupping therapy is known for its diverse therapeutic effects. However, pain relief is one of the best known. For this reason, most athletes go for it because it helps with the following pain conditions:
- It relieves migraines and tension headaches.
- It reduces the intensity of joint and muscle pain; so you can get relief from muscle injuries, back pain, neck pain, and stiffness.
- People with rheumatism or pain caused by arthritis can consider Cupping therapy as a long-term remedy.
- You will be surprised that Cupping therapy can make your toothache more bearable.
- For women suffering from severe menstrual cramps, Cupping therapy can be an effective alternative to pain relievers.
Conclusion
Cupping therapy as an alternative medicine does a lot for the health of your body. It promotes digestion, relieves pain and stiffness, fights anxiety, promotes blood circulation and helps you lose weight.
To find the right place for cupping therapy google for cupping therapy near me or if you live in Philadelphia google for cupping in Philadelphia.
Contact Philadelphia Holistic Clinic (267) 403-3085 to schedule an appointment for cupping treatment.
