What is cupping therapy?

Cupping therapy is a healing technique, that uses small glass cups or bamboo jars placed on the skin, to create a suction which aids proper blood flow by removing stagnant or congested blood and energy. It is an alternative therapy originating from china, often used alongside acupuncture.

“When there’s stagnation, there will be a pain. Remove the stagnation, and you remove the pain”, is the philosophy behind pain and cupping.

Types of cupping therapy

There are several methods to cupping, your specific medical condition would determine what method would be applied.

• Dry cupping is one of the most common methods. The cups are placed on the skin to create a suction only.
• Wet cupping which is also known as Hijama, is applied after dry cupping for a few minutes. And then, a small incision will be made on the skin where the suction cups will be used to draw out a small amount of blood, after which an ointment and bandage would be used to avoid infection.
• Gliding cupping also known as massage cupping, involves the use of a massage oil applied to aid movement of the glass cups and it is usually between 5-10 minutes.
• Fire cupping involves the use of a cotton ball soaked in alcohol, then lighting it and placing an empty cup over the flame immediately on the skin. The flames are mainly used to create heat that causes suction.
• Silicone cupping involves the use of silicone cups, which has been known to reduce bruising that goes with cupping.

ALSO, READ: MOXIBUSTION

Benefits of cupping

Cupping can be used alone or with acupuncture. Either way, it removes toxins, loosening muscles and encourage blood flow. A wide range of illnesses can be treated, such as;

• Relieving back and neck pain,
• Migraines, stiff muscles, anxiety and fatigue.
• Effective in improving metabolism, and stronger digestion.
• Helps with congestion from the common cold and other respiratory conditions associated with the lungs.

A 2012 review on clinical studies shows that cupping may help with:

• cervical spondylosis,
• Facial paralysis, acne.
• Herpes zoster
• Lumbar disc herniation, amongst others.

Discomfort or pain, skin infections, or burns and mild bruising are the side effects of cupping. However, mild bruising tends to heal within 10 days. Other side effects can also be avoided when your health practitioner uses the right method.