Relax and detoxify with cupping therapy
Cupping therapy is an ancient technique adopted by the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese. Rediscovered and praised by Hippocrates, it was practiced by our grandmothers until the end of World War I, before the advent of antibiotics.
Used in China as a healing method for thousands of years, this technique has evolved over time to become part of the arsenal used by Chinese doctors. Cupping therapy aims to balance the flow of vital energy (qi) in the body. Cupping is used to stimulate blood circulation, lymph, and energy in the body.
The suction cup draws pathogenic factors such as wind, cold, and heat to the surface, thereby draining and eliminating them. This is what makes this technique effective for colds and bronchitis. By drawing blood to the surface, cupping also relieves pain associated with muscle tension or stiffness, as it releases the blood stasis that causes this pain.
Formerly made of cow horn or bamboo, cupping cups are now most often made of glass, plastic, or plexiglass.
How does the suction cup work?
According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pain at an acupuncture point is a sign of dysfunction in the corresponding organ. Cupping is performed on the skin at acupuncture points along the meridians, specifically at points that are painful.
Applying one or more cupping glasses releases blockages in the organ, helping to relax and relieve congestion.
The vacuum under the glass cup is created by burning oxygen with a flame, or in more modern versions, using a manual pump on plastic cups. The cups can be fixed on the body’s tension points, or moved around as a massage tool on oiled skin.
Some patients like to receive cupping treatment once a week as a preventive measure.
In cases of stress, joint or muscle pain, upon waking, before sleeping, before physical exertion, or after intense exercise, cupping will always be useful for providing relief and making our patients’ days more comfortable.
Cupping causes blood to rise to the surface, which is generally a sign of many impurities. The bruise will be visible for 2 to 4 days. As the sessions progress, the bruise will fade.
Cupping is an effective aid, complementing ongoing treatment, such as acupuncture. In cases of acute pain or crisis, it can be used more regularly.
The different cupping techniques
The techniques used for cupping vary depending on the suction method, suction power, area treated, other materials used with the cups, etc. The techniques include:
- Dry cupping:
A vacuum is created inside the cups using fire or a manual pump. Dry cupping is also known as static cupping.
- Mobile (massage):
Oil is applied to the skin and the cups are moved with low suction. Massage cups are also called dynamic cups, sliding cups, and mobile cups.
Flash (or empty cups):
The cups are applied for a short period of time, less than 30 seconds at a time. This is also known as empty cupping.
- Wet:
The skin is lightly pierced before applying the cups. This method is also known as blood cupping.
- Herbal:
The practitioner boils a herbal solution, dips bamboo cups into it, and applies the slightly cooled cups to the skin.
It should be noted that techniques are evolving towards magnetic or electrical systems. As far as we are concerned, we are keen to maintain traditional techniques.
The benefits of cupping
In general, the influx of blood to the area where the cup is placed will drain toxins. The suction effect activates blood circulation where the cup is placed.
This localized congestion reduces pain, releases blockages, accelerates the recovery of tired muscles, and improves tissue repair.
Cupping therapy is known to relieve discomfort and improve quality of life. The following conditions may improve with this technique:
- Low back pain. Cupping helps reduce pain and improve function in people with acute and chronic low back pain.
- Fibromyalgia. Cupping therapy, alone or with acupuncture, helps relieve pain in patients with fibromyalgia.
- Chronic neck pain. Cupping therapy helps relax the neck muscles and make them more flexible.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding. Dry cupping helps reduce the amount of menstrual blood flow in women with menorrhagia.
Cupping therapy also shows improvements in:
- digestive problems,
- lung and respiratory tract diseases, including bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia,
- high blood pressure,
- cellulite,
- tendinitis,
- sprains,
- cramps,
- sports recovery,
- stress,
- sleep disorders,
- skin problems.
A cupping session
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