What is Medical Cupping?

Many health experts agree that cupping can help ease the symptoms of certain temporary and chronic health conditions. But it’s important to remember that it shouldn’t replace your regular doctor visits.

Cupping is a technique that creates suction by heating the cups, which are then placed on the body. It can be done on most parts of the body, and is usually performed over specific acupuncture points of meridians.

Increases Blood Flow

From a scientific perspective, it’s still unclear how cupping works. Apparently, the suction of cups reduces inflammation by bringing toxins into the skin’s surface and triggering an array of chemical responses. It also helps remove excess iron, uric acid, and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, according to a 2018 study.

It increases blood flow near the area where the cups are placed, which soothes muscle tension, boosts cell repair, and creates new connective tissue. It may also help relieve fatigue and improve emotion and sleep conditions.

The negative pressure of the cups pulls blood into the areas where the cups are applied, which can result in reddish and purple circular marks that resemble bruising or hickeys. The marks will fade within 7-10 days. Cupping isn’t recommended for people with liver or kidney problems, heart disease, or if you are taking blood thinners. It also isn’t a good choice for pregnant women. However, cupping is safe for anyone otherwise and can be a powerful addition to your wellness plan.

Reduces Pain

The suction caused by the cups pulls skin and soft tissue up into the cup to decompress muscles and relieve pain. It’s important to choose a trained practitioner to decrease the risk of adverse reactions. You can expect to see a round bruise that looks similar to a typical bruise after treatment. The bruising should dissipate after a few days to a week. It’s also important to communicate with your practitioner if you’re experiencing discomfort.

While more research is needed, cupping therapy appears to be effective in reducing chronic pain and providing relief from discomfort. One theory is that the pain reduction results from vasodilation, which increases blood flow and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce inflammation and relax the muscles. Another theory is that it helps to loosen tight muscles and treat trigger points, which are knots of muscle that can cause pain in the body. Research also suggests that it may help with conditions like fibromyalgia, back pain and ankylosing spondylitis.

Promotes Relaxation

Cupping is usually a very gentle form of treatment. The cups are firmly placed on the skin but they shouldn’t be painful. The vacuum created naturally by the cups pulls and stretches the skin and soft tissue. This helps decompress muscles, improve blood flow and facilitate healing.

Cups can be made from animal horns, bamboo, clay pots, glass or heat-resistant plastic or rubber. They can be fixed to the skin or, as in moving cupping, your practitioner can glide them over tense areas of the body, like your back.

People suffering from phlegm or congestion can benefit from cupping, which helps clear the lungs and respiratory muscles. It can also help relieve allergies and infections. However, it isn’t suitable for those with psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and some blood disorders or heart disease. It’s also not recommended for pregnant women. Cupping can leave circular marks on the skin, but they’re harmless and should dissipate quickly. If you’re concerned, discuss it with your therapist.

Releases Toxins

When our bodies are stressed, toxins can be stored in the muscle layer until they are processed by the liver and kidneys. If toxins aren’t processed properly, they can cause inflammation and lead to health problems. Cupping therapy works to loosen these toxins from the body, carrying them away via blood flow to the lymphatic system for elimination through urination and stool.

During cupping, a practitioner sets special cups (which can be made of glass, silicone or plastic) directly on your skin. The cups are either heated with fire or manually pumped to create suction, pulling your skin and muscles upward.

If the cupping is wet, the practitioner may pierce the skin while in the cups to draw out blood, increasing your risk of infection and diseases like hepatitis B or C if the cups are not sterilized between treatments. After a cupping session, it is common to feel fatigued and a little feverish as the toxins are carried away by your blood. This is a good sign and means that the session was effective.

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Many health experts agree that cupping can help ease the symptoms of certain temporary and chronic health conditions. But it’s important to remember that it shouldn’t replace your regular doctor visits. Cupping is a technique that creates suction by heating the cups, which are then placed on the body. It can be done on most…