Cupping therapy is a form of ancient alternative medicine that involves placing suction cups on the skin to promote healing. Its origins date back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures, where it was used to treat a variety of ailments. In traditional Chinese medicine, cupping is believed to stimulate the flow of qi, or energy, in the body. The therapy became popular in the West in the early 2000s, with celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston promoting its benefits. Then again growing in popularity in the Rio Olympics in 2016 when Michael Phelps showed up with cupping marks all over his upper back before winning numerous gold medals yet again.
“That’s where I hurt the most,” he said of the marks on his shoulder. “I have done it before pretty much every meet I go to. I just asked for a little cupping yesterday because I was sore.” Michael Phelps
In this article, I will explore the many benefits of cupping therapy, how it works, and what you can expect during a treatment. I will also answer some frequently asked questions about this alternative treatment and provide some tips for getting started.
What is Cupping Therapy?
- Cupping therapy is an alternative treatment that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. The cups can be made of various materials, such as glass, silicone (my choice), or bamboo, and they are placed on the skin using heat or suction. Suction is my choice do to being safer, faster and all around more efficient.
- The following picture shows a cupping technique that I am using to release unwanted tension from the front of my clients chest and shoulders.
How Does Cupping Therapy Work?
The suction created by the cups helps to stimulate blood flow, and reduce to over production of connective tissue (fascia) by lifting layers of tissue independently one by one. Fascia, also known as scar tissue in some cases, tends to overproduce and grow through different layers of our tissues like roots of a tree growing through the layers of the ground. These fascial roots bind the layers of tissue that should flow freely upon each other when healthy.It also helps to reduce inflammation and improve circulation, which can improve overall health and wellbeing.
During a cupping therapy session, the cups are placed on the skin and left in place for several minutes. The cups can be left stationary or moved around the skin. The suction from the cups can cause the skin to turn red or purple, which is a normal response and usually goes away within a few days.
What are the Benefits of Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy has many benefits for the body and mind, including:
1. Reducing pain: Cupping therapy helps to reduce pain by promoting viscosity (blood/fluid flow) and reducing inflammation. It can be used to treat conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and arthritis.
2. Toxin removal: Pulling or drawing out toxins in the skin and/or muscles.
3. Improving digestion: Cupping therapy can help to improve digestion by stimulating the digestive system and reducing inflammation in the gut.
4. Boosting the immune system: Cupping therapy can help to boost the immune system by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation.
5. Relieving stress and anxiety: Cupping therapy can help to relieve stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and reducing tension in the muscles.
6. Improving skin health: Cupping therapy can help to improve skin health by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation. It can be used to treat conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
7. Improving sleep: Cupping is even known to help cure insomnia!
What to Expect During a Cupping Therapy Session?
During a cupping therapy session, you can expect the following:
1. I, your therapist will place cups on your skin using suction.
2. The cups will be left in place for several minutes while I work on a different area with my hands.
3. The cups may be moved around on your skin or left stationary.
4. You may feel a pulling or stretching sensation on your skin.
5. The skin under the cups may turn red or purple, which is a normal response and usually goes away within a few days.
6. You will likely feel relaxed and rejuvenated after the session.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cupping Therapy
1. Is cupping therapy safe?
Yes, cupping therapy is generally safe when performed by a trained professional.
2. Does cupping therapy hurt?
Cupping therapy is often not painful but in some cases in the underlying malformed fascia and/or muscle will have a pain response as it’s being guided to release.
3. How often should I have cupping therapy?
The frequency of cupping therapy depends on your individual needs and the condition being treated. Your therapist can recommend a treatment plan for you.
4. What should I do after a cupping therapy session?
After a cupping therapy session, you should drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activity for a few hours. You should also avoid taking a very hot shower or bath for at least 24 hours. Cupping temporarily makes the skin in those areas especially vulnerable to changes in temperature.
5. Can anyone have cupping therapy?
Cupping therapy is generally safe for most people, but it may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before trying cupping therapy if you think you fall into that category.
Conclusion
Cupping therapy is an ancient technique that has many benefits for the body and mind. It works by creating suction on the skin, which helps to decrease scar tissue build-up, increase viscosity, stimulate blood flow and promote healing. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including pain, digestive issues, skin problems, and even insomnia. If you are interested in trying cupping therapy, be sure to consult with a trained professional, like me, to ensure that it is safe for you. As many lesser experienced or untrained people tend to overuse the cups. This leads to trama in the body and that’s the opposite of what cupping therapy has always been ment for.
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