Cupping therapy is an ancient Chinese form of alternative medicine in which a local suction is created on the skin; practitioners believe this mobilizes blood flow in order to promote healing.
Cupping Therapy Used Today
There are several different types of cups used today. The most popular type is fire cupping, which involves the use of glass cups. A cotton ball, soaked in alcohol, is lit to produce a large flame, which is then quickly placed inside the cup. This action removes all the oxygen inside of the cup. The cup is quickly placed on the skin, creating a vacuum to draw the skin within the cup.
How Cupping Therapy Works
Cupping therapy creates negative pressure, rather than the tissue compression or positive pressure used in traditional massage. By creating negative pressure, cupping releases rigid soft tissue, drains excess fluids and toxins, loosens adhesions, lifts connective tissue and brings blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles.
As the toxins are brought to the surface a cupping “mark” will appear in colors ranging from a dark purple to a light pink, but is usually a shade of red. These discolorations are not bruises but are simply a reflection of the stagnation in the area being treated.
Therapeutic Benefits of Cupping Therapy
Cupping Therapy benefits the skin, muscles, circulatory system, nervous system, digestive system and joints of the body. Pain relief is quick, and long-term injuries and restrictions can be released in one or a few treatments. Cupping has been known to alleviate very acute injuries, pinched nerves, frozen shoulders and chronically tight muscles.
Cupping is also very beneficial for many conditions such as high blood pressure, sciatica, insomnia, chronic headaches, colon disorders, anxiety, fatigue, poor circulation, edema, and sports injuries.
What to Expect During and After a Cupping Treatment
The treatment is discussed between therapist and client and tailored to their specific needs. Cupping therapy is very relaxing and sometimes even sedative. With some treatments there can be mild discomfort and itching when working on areas with severe stagnation and tight fascia. The marks involved with cupping will go away in a few hours to 2 weeks depending on the amount of stagnation.
Drinking an ample amount of water is recommended for 48-hours following your treatment.
If interested, please view the video links below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exe1nww_hEQ&list=PL5A47C5CBE79ACCB4&index=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv0cp6RfO-0