Cupping Therapy: Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects

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What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine, where a therapist puts individual cups on your skin to create suction. The cups are left on for several minutes before being removed. People use this therapy for different reasons such as pain relief, inflammation, promoting blood flow, and relaxation as a kind of deep-tissue massage.

Many ancient cultures, including Egyptian and Chinese civilizations, have been employing this technique since 1500 BC. There are different forms of cupping. The most common are dry, wet, needle, and fire cupping. Usually, the cups used are of either glass, bamboo, or silicone.

How Does Cupping Therapy Work?

Here is what to expect from the practitioner: First, (during both dry and wet cupping), the therapist puts a flammable substance, such as herbs, alcohol, or paper, in a cup and set it alight. As the fire slowly dies, the therapist turns the cup upside down on your skin, creating a vacuum as the air inside cools. This vacuum pulls up your skin inside the cup. Your skin will redden as your blood vessels expand. Usually, the container is then in place for about 3 minutes.

There are variations to this practice in a more modern environment, where the therapist might use a rubber pump instead of fire to create the vacuum. Others might use silicone cups and move them about on your skin, creating a massage-like effect, otherwise known as dry cupping.

Wet cupping is the same as dry cupping where there is a vacuum, but after the first 3 minutes of the cup left in place, things turn a little different. Here, you will remove the container and use a small scalpel to make light, tiny cuts on your skin before doing a second suction to draw out a small quantity of blood.

Your first session usually involves about 3-5 cups, if you wish. Maybe just one for starters. It is rarely more than 7 cups per session. After the session, you might be given an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. However, your skin should look normal again within the next ten days from therapy.

What are the Benefits of Cupping Therapy?

  • Stretch Muscles, and Connective Tissue

    The decompression techniques of lifting the skin are the opposite of massage, where rollers or hand movements compress the muscle. This compression not only promotes blood flow to the muscle and connective tissue but the latter increases mobility and flexibility in the newly blood-rushed area.

  • Loosening Restrictions and Adhesions in the Tissue

    Those bothersome knots in our muscles should be no match for cupping therapy. How the cup stretches the skin is essential in relieving adhesions.

  • Improving Immunity Through Increasing Lymphatic Output

    There are many claims of the draining of lymph nodes and its detoxification benefits. It is no surprise then that cupping would enhance immunity by mobilizing toxins utilizing lymphatic concentration.

  • Reduction of Inflammation

    Cupping therapy helps reduce inflammation in tensed muscles and stiff joints by applying suction on the pain points in the soft tissues of the body. The cupping increases blood circulation, delivering more oxygen to the affected areas, therefore helping them heal faster.

  • Relaxation and Calming the Nervous System

    Cupping promotes relaxation and helps to deal with the physical manifestations of stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

What are the Side Effects of Cupping?

Cupping might have some noticeable side effects, such as mild discomfort, bruising, skin infections, or burns that might leave you with nothing better than bragging rights. Any adverse incidents are rare and are usually light to moderate in intensity, including feelings of nausea, dizziness, or sensitivity in the treated area.

Is Cupping Therapy Dangerous?

Cupping is quite safe if done by a certified professional. However, it is generally not recommended for cancer patients, people with pacemakers, people with organ failure, or those suffering from hemophilia or similar conditions.

Do not employ cupping therapy if you have a sunburn, an infection, open wounds, or a severe chronic disease like heart disease or anemia. Pregnant women should avoid using cupping on their bellies or lower backs.

Is It Safe to do Cupping Therapy at Home?

A vital warning is not to attempt cupping at home. Cupping is a therapy that takes training and skill. Please do not resort to home treatment on family and friends, no matter how confident you feel.

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  • Stretch Muscles, and Connective Tissue: The decompression techniques of lifting the skin are the opposite of massage, where rollers or hand movements compress the muscle. This compression not only promotes blood flow to the muscle and connective tissue but the latter increases mobility and flexibility in the newly blood-rushed area.
  • Loosening Restrictions and Adhesions in the Tissue: Those bothersome knots in our muscles should be no match for cupping therapy. How the cup stretches the skin is essential in relieving adhesions.
  • Improving Immunity Through Increasing Lymphatic Output: There are many claims of the draining of lymph nodes and its detoxification benefits. It is no surprise then that cupping would enhance immunity by mobilizing toxins utilizing lymphatic concentration.
  • Reduction of Inflammation: Cupping therapy helps reduce inflammation in tensed muscles and stiff joints by applying suction on the pain points in the soft tissues of the body. The cupping increases blood circulation, delivering more oxygen to the affected areas, therefore helping them heal faster.
  • Relaxation and Calming the Nervous System: Cupping promotes relaxation and helps to deal with the physical manifestations of stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

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