What is cupping therapy?
When you are stressed, tense, or struggling with muscle pain, you can think about getting a massage, soaking in a hot bath, stretching, or deep breathing or meditation to encourage recovery. However, some people are engaging in a therapeutic trend called cupping.
Although this therapy has gained popularity in the last decade, cupping is not a new-age technique. Its roots (and rings) run deep and have been around for thousands of years. It has been described as one of the oldest medical interventions, with a history dating back to 1500 BC. In ancient Chinese medicine, people used it to treat lung diseases, fevers, and other ailments. Professionals now use it to treat musculoskeletal ailments, including strains, sprains, and back problems, and ease discomfort.
How does cupping therapy work?
Cupping therapy involves placing cups (made of glass, plastic, bamboo, or ceramic) on the skin, which creates suction. Usually, the cups are laid on the skin of the back, shoulders, belly, legs, or another muscle region.
This suction creates a negative pressure environment, pulling the skin into the cups and allowing my fascial decompression. Whereas regular massage therapy uses direct pressure, cupping uses negative pressure to lift muscle fibers and increase blood flow to the area.
There are two main types of cupping—dry and wet. There are also two techniques for cupping—static and dynamic.
Dry cupping:
Using a pumping technique, dry cupping pulls skin tissue into cups. The subcutaneous layer of skin is inserted into the cups and held in place for 5 to 15 minutes. In this method, the cups can be left in place (fixed cupping) or slid over the skin (mobile cupping).
Wet cupping:
In wet cupping, the cup is removed after suction, and a small incision is made in the skin. Then, suction is applied again to extract a small amount of blood.
This therapy relieves various physical problems and can help relax muscles and increase blood circulation.
Does cupping hurt?
If it is done correctly by an experienced and trained therapist, cupping is usually not painful. However, this can vary from person to person. Sometimes, temporary swelling, mild pain, or pink to dark bruising (ecchymosed) may occur after cupping, which usually goes away within a few days.
Some people may experience dizziness, weakness, nausea, or flu-like body aches after cupping therapy. However, these side effects are normal and subside quickly.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of cupping?
Cupping has the potential to alleviate pain; however, the evidence supporting this claim is not particularly robust.
Cupping has several benefits, including reduced pain, muscle tension, and inflammation, improved blood flow (circulation), and increased range of motion. Still, little high-quality clinical data or research supports these claims.
The risks of cupping are very low, but remember that cupping can cause hickey-like lesions on your skin and can worsen eczema or psoriasis. Additionally, there is a slight possibility of skin infection, particularly when moist cupping is implemented.
Cupping Therapy: Multifaceted Benefits
Nowadays, cupping therapy is used in many situations. Thanks to its effects on the body, this practice will present a huge number of multifaceted benefits:
- Relaxation;
- Improved sleep;
- Intense muscle recovery;
- Skin tightening;
- Activation of blood circulation;
- Activation of lymphatic circulation;
- Prevention of digestive and respiratory disorders;
- Reduction of cellulite;
- Relief from skin problems;
- Release of accumulated toxins;
- Reduction of joint pain;
- Relief from chronic pain;
- Relief of acute pain;
- Reduction of headaches;
- Relief of spasms;
- Relief of pain and suffering;
- Release of tissue adhesive substances
- Stimulating action.
Note: It is important to emphasize that scientific research on cupping therapy is not currently very advanced.
Cost of cupping therapy sessions
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