Cupping therapy has been used for a long time and dates back to China, where it was first applied to cattle horns or bamboo cross-sections. To create a vacuum inside the horn or bamboo, these old “cups” are cooked in water or fire ignited to expel air and suck the cups against the skin. The cuppings were mainly used to extract pus and blood to treat diseases. Cupping was originally used as an aid in traditional Chinese surgery. It later proved useful in treating 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. In Chinese medicine, cupping treats diseases like arthritis, asthma, colds, chronic cough, indigestion, and certain skin problems.
Cupping therapy is a safe, fast, and effective pain relief technique since it improves the blood circulation in the locally affected area (anatomically) and the blood circulation of Qi (energy) via the acupuncture meridians. As soon as your energy and blood flow have returned to normal, all causes of pain are eliminated, and the symptoms disappear.
The cups used in cupping therapy are made from:
- Glass
- Bamboo
- Ethenware
- Silicone
Cupping therapy has become trendy recently, but it is not new. It comes from ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Oriental cultures.
Contraindications to cupping:
- Skin areas with ulcers, edema, or tenderness.
- Patients with a high fever and/or cramps.
- Pregnant women should not have cupping therapy on their belly or sacral regions.
- You should never use cupping therapy on your face.
- Although cupping is generally safe, it can be done wrong in certain circumstances. Ensure the therapist you will see is a properly trained TCM doctor.
Types of cupping
Dry cupping works by dipping a cotton ball in a flammable substance like alcohol. Then, the cotton ball is burned and used to heat the cups. When 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 safely being removed. In the “moving tank” method, the cups are not held in one position but are moved evenly over different areas. The therapist applies oil or cream to the skin before applying the cups. The suction and expansion of blood vessels cause reddened areas.
The suction cup therapist makes small skin incisions on damp suction cups. The aspiration is repeated to collect small amounts of blood, which is the most effective method. 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 being placed directly on your skin. Compared to conventional heating methods, some modern suction cup practitioners use rubber pumps to create suction. Immediately, the hot cup is placed on your skin, the air in the cup cools down, and a vacuum is created, which is applied to the skin and muscles in the cup. After this, the skin may turn red since the blood vessels respond to the change in pressure.
The cup is set up for a defined period, usually between 5 and 10 minutes, with dry suction cups. However, with wet cupping cups, the doctor makes a small incision to draw blood after the cups are placed. To avoid blood loss, the doctor covers the previously cut areas with ointment and bandages; this helps prevent infections. Note: After the whole therapy, bruising or other light spots will fade within ten days of the session.
Cupping therapy is sometimes combined with acupuncture treatments. For best results, eating light meals two to three hours before the therapy is ideal.
Cupping Therapy Benefits
- Get rid of the toxins that have accumulated in the tissues.
- It 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, allowing relief from muscle injuries, back pain, neck pain, and stiffness.
- People with rheumatism or pain caused by arthritis can consider cupping therapy 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, search Google for cupping therapy near me, or if you live in Philadelphia, search Google for cupping in Philadelphia.
Contact Philadelphia Holistic Clinic at (267) 403-3085 to schedule an appointment for cupping treatment.