Cupping therapy is one of the most popular therapies in the world today. It may seem like it is trendy now, but it isn't a therapy that was born yesterday. It's been around for thousands of years, being practiced in ancient cultures of China, Egypt, and the Middle East. These ancient cultures discovered the benefits of this therapy thousands of years ago, long before modern man had found the use of the contemporary practice.
What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is when a trained professional takes cups and applies them to different body parts. The cups create a light to a deep suction once they are placed on the skin. The cups are made of:
- Rubber
- Silicone
- Earthenware
- Glass
- Bamboo
What and why does Cupping Therapy help relieve pain and rid early onset colds?
There are known blood vessels called “capillaries” which are the smallest blood vessels in the body. They are made of epithelial tissue which has an elastic lining with the ability to expand into a thinner lining. Each cup suctioned area stretches this lining just enough to allow more microcirculatory permeability. The application of cupping gives the appearance of “bruising” but it's not bruising. It’s the effects of the negative gravity pull expanding the epithelial tissue . This initiates the body’s natural process of elimination, removing waste products, pathogens; restoring fresh blood at the skin surface, superficial muscle regions and even deep into joint areas like the shoulder or knee.
Dry Style Cupping Therapy
The therapist will put flammable substances such as alcohol, herbs, or paper in a cup and light them on fire for dry-style. As the fire dies down, the therapist flips the cup upside down and places it on the patient's skin. The air cools in the cup and creates a vacuum causing the skin to rise and redden. The reddening is caused by blood vessels in your skin expanding. The mug is usually left on the skin for 3 minutes.
Dry Cupping therapy is the traditional way cupping therapy is conducted. The therapist will light a substance placed in the cup on fire. Once the fire cools the therapist flips the cup upside down and places it on the patient’s skin. The air cools in the cup and creates a vacuum causing the skin to rise and redden. The reddening is caused by blood vessels in your skin expanding. The cup is usually left on the skin for approximately 3 minutes.
Wet Style Cupping Therapy
Wet-style therapy creates a mild suction, but the cup is left on the skin for 3 minutes. The therapist will remove the cup, and then he will use a scalpel, making light, minor cuts in the skin. The therapist will place a second cup on the skin to draw blood.
Modern Cupping Therapy
Today, a modern cupping version uses a rubber pump to create a vacuum in the skin. This method will prevent the skin from burning using the fire method.
Along with the pump, the therapist may use silicone cups and move them around the body to create a massage-like effect. It's soothing and relaxing for the patient.
It's standard for a patient to receive 5 to 7 cups during the first session, and it's rare to receive more cups than that. If a patient desires to have more cups than that, it would be feasible to talk to the therapist before beginning the session.
Benefits of Cupping Therapy
The British Cupping Society notes these benefits:
- Relieves Cures blood diseases including anemia and hemophilia
- Relieves Cures Rheumatic disorders, including arthritis and fibromyalgia
- Effective for Fertility and gynecological issues which helping couples trying to get pregnant
- Helps with acne, eczema, and many other skin issues
- Aids people with high blood pressure issues
- It helps to ease migraines
- Benefits in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression
- Relieves Cures bronchial problems caused by allergies and asthma
- Helps with varicose veins
Cupping is Not a Bruise
First, cupping therapy doesn't cause bruises because bruises are caused by blunt injury or trauma. Cupping causes discolored skin marks because the suction dilates the tiny capillaries just below the skin surface. Cupping can cause bruising if suction is too strong and used too long. The patient usually does not experience discomfort except when applied too powerfully. Most acupuncturists take 16 weeks of training and massage therapist 12 hours required certification in cupping therapy. It is strongly advised to receive cupping from a knowledgeable practitioner and/or get proper training on the do’s and don'ts of cupping therapy. Anyone can learn the basics benefits of cupping therapy.
What do the different Color Markings Mean?
The color ranges from bright red to darker purple. The darker the color, the more toxins will rise to the skin's surface.
- The lightest marking will be dampness, water drops, or cold skin.
- The next level of coloring produces blisters, bubbles, dampness, and accumulated fluids in the skin's tissue.
- This level of coloring produces pale light skin indicating cold deficiency and dampness.
- The dark purple spot color symbolizes stagnation and cold.
- Light or dark red spotting shows a blood deficiency.
- A small dark spot spread throughout the cup means there is blood stagnation.
- Skin lines or itching in the cupping reflects wind-chapped and dry skin.
Are there Some Side Effects of Cupping Therapy?
There are a few side effects that could occur from Cupping Therapy. However, these side effects are temporary.
- Burns
- Bruises
- Mild Discomfort
- Skin Infection
Final Thoughts on Cupping Therapy
There have been two types of cupping therapies discussed: the traditional dry cupping, which is most utilized, and wet cupping. Both types initiate waste by product diffusion settled deep within the recesses of muscle and fatty tissues. This process stimulates natural removal of stagnant waste, toxins and pathogens by restoring microcirculation at the skin surface level without medication or heavy detox remedies. Cupping is an easy to learn and best quick way to relieve pain and restore tissue health.
Cupping therapy may leave different levels of coloring of the skin after applied without damaging tissue. There are some slight side effects to cupping therapy if misapplied. It's important to receive this therapy with a person who has some knowledgeable experience. For the most part, cupping has major benefits.
Information on Our Cupping Class
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January 15, 2022
8am-8pm
12 Hour Hands-On Course $275
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January 1, 2022
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