Stress is a big problem for many people. Yoga, massage, and even ice cream can help to relieve stress, but what if you want something more? Cupping has been around since the ancient civilizations of China and Egypt where it was used as an alternative medicine because blood vessels were broken by this process, in order to create better circulation which meant that the tissues healed faster than before. In this blog post we will discuss cupping therapy and its amazing benefits, so read along to know more :
Let's start by understanding what cupping therapy is.
What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping is one of the oldest known treatments for multiple illnesses. Throughout history, cupping techniques and styles have often resembled the geographic locations they were practiced in, as well as utilizing a region’s local materials: animal horns, bamboo, ceramic, glass, metal, and plastic have all been used in this practice found in Ancient Egyptian, Chinese, Unani, Korean, Tibetan, and Latin American cultures, all of which have served the purpose of supporting the body’s ability to heal itself. In North Africa, cupping therapy was first documented on Eber’s papyrus (1550 BCE), where a cup is an Egyptian glyph to reference a physician. In Asia, during the Jin dynasty, Ge Hong (281-341 CE) mentions the use of animal horns as a means of draining fluids from the body.
The history of cupping dates to ancient times in China. It has been used as a therapeutic tool for thousands upon millennia, and it continues today because people love how effective this technique is at reducing inflammation!
What does it look like?
Cups used in cupping are like glass or plastic snow globe-like balls that range from three-quarters of an inch up for small ones, four inches round. They're placed on the skin while air is removed by pumps and sometimes lit with a flame inside cups themselves creating vacuums. The process looks kind of cool because you can see what's going on within these little happiness holders.
What are the types of cups?
Most providers use glass or plastic cups, but cups may be:
How does it work?
A cup is placed over an area that's being treated by Chinese medicine practitioners- usually on top of your skin or inside muscles (like deep muscle tissue). The suction created from doing so helps break down scarring cells which allows them easier access into deeper layers, allowing more circulation between blood vessels.
There are different ways to perform cupping. The steps vary slightly depending on the chosen method. Your provider will leave the cups in place for several minutes. Some treatments involve briefly moving the cups to stretch and massage the area.
Depending on the treatment, your provider may place multiple cups on your skin. Cupping methods include:
Dry: Your provider heats the inside of each cup — typically with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball that is set aflame. The heat sends oxygen out of the cup, creating a vacuum. Some providers use a suction device to remove air from cups. Once placed on your skin, the vacuum force pulls the skin up into the cup.
Wet: Your provider uses a needle to lightly puncture your skin before, and sometimes after, cupping. Toxins leave the body through the puncture wounds during the cupping procedure.
How does it help?
The body has many different ways to deal with pain, one way is cupping, which can help move stagnant fluids out of an area and make it easier on you
What are the Benefits?
Increases Circulation
The application of suction from cups can help relieve muscle tension and promote cell repair. The increased circulation that results helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite by promoting healthier skin cells, which are more likely to be healthy in appearance due to cupping's effects on blood flow.
Releases Toxin
With the modern lifestyle, you are constantly vying for time and energy. Toxins build up in your body which can cause a variety of health problems from headaches to cancer! Cupping offers an innovative way to release these unwanted materials by boosting blood flow while focusing on specific areas within our mouths where there is most buildup. This will help stimulate lymphatic drainage that carries away waste products through sweat or urine without having any negative effect whatsoever on regular bodily functions, since it does not require removal procedures for enemas or colonics. This could be something worth considering given today’s fast-paced lives.
Reduces Anxiety
The cups on your skin make you feel as though they are gliding through the water. This sensation causes a chain of events that lead to deep relaxation, which will be experienced throughout every part or cell in one's body, beginning with slowing down the heart rate and assisting digestion before increasing intestinal activity for better nutrient absorption.
Reduces Stretch Marks and Scars
The application of cupping to stretch marks and scars is not only effective but has also been shown time after again in various studies. This treatment can help remove edema, reduce the appearance or severity of scarring due to its increased blood flow that enables your body's natural detoxification process while also restoring lymphatic circulation all around it.
Improves Varicose Veins and Spider Veins
When the valves inside your veins aren't working properly, blood collects in these varicose areas. The flesh becomes blue and swollen due to lack of oxygenation for longer periods than other parts of the skin and Cupping helps bring fresh fluids back into circulation which will make any lightening effects last much better than just treating with medication alone. After one session you'll notice some improvement, but again, there needs to be many sessions before lasting results become noticeable!
Clears Congestion and Helps Treat Asthma
Colds, bronchitis, and even asthma can be treated with cupping. The suction from cups breaks up congestion by removing fluid that has built up in your lungs to clear out any infection or illness before it gets worse! It also helps bring oxygen-rich blood & lymph towards the area where you need more airflow which goes on sinuses as well facial muscles for tighter passageways
Clears Colon Blockages and Aid Digestion
Cupping is a natural therapy that can help you with many ailments. One of the most popular uses for this ancient technique involves increasing blood flow to your digestive tract, stimulating peristalsis (the contractions which push food through our intestines), and clearing blockages in the colon or other parts within our body while making sure we're getting enough fluids during these processes
Is it Painful?
Cupping is a therapy that many people use to solve their pain problems. It can be done on the back, neck, and shoulders or where there's any other sort of discomfort. It's not painful but it causes temporary bruising and some soreness depending upon how much suction was created by an actual vacuum and degree stasis (or lack thereof).
What is Cupping Therapy Used to Treat ?
What are the Side Effects?
As with all treatments, there is the potential for side effects. Known risks and hazards in cupping therapy includes low-risk protocols that can cause mild bruising at sites; however, they disappear within ten days without long-term consequences or problems associated with this process.
Who can Benefit from Cupping Therapy?
Cupping is a therapeutic technique that has been used for centuries to help people heal. It can be done by anyone, but there are some precautions and limitations in place depending on your age or health status.
Athletes enjoy the benefits too! The majority (if not all) of healthy individuals will find cupped therapy beneficial. Extra caution should also be taken when performing this treatment upon seniors, because they may suffer from complications due to their age. Children could potentially benefit if performed by an experienced practitioner who knows exactly what's going on.
Who shouldn’t get cupping?
Because researchers know little about cupping’s effects on pregnancy, moms-to-be shouldn’t get the therapy. You should also forego cupping if you have:
How to do it at Home?
There are many ways to get started with cupping at home. However, not all of the products on store shelves will work for every person because they may be too dangerous or difficult to use depending upon your level of experience in this area.
Home practice cups can easily break if handled improperly which could lead to serious complications like infection due to lack of protection offered by traditional medical equipment used during treatment sessions provided by physicians especially those who specialize either exclusively or mostly within the field. So before adopting these methods first talk openly regarding the risks.
Wrap Up
There are many benefits of cupping therapy, but it is important to note that cupped therapy is not a substitute for medical treatment. Book an appointment today if you wish to enjoy the treatment.
