Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get cupping for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.
Cupping therapy might be trendy now, but it’s not new. It dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. One of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus, describes how the ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy in 1,550 B.C. Greek physician Hippocrates, often referred to as the “father” of medicine, even compiled descriptions of cupping techniques.
Traditionally, your therapist would put a flammable substance such as alcohol, herbs, or paper in a cup and set it on fire. As the fire goes out, she puts the cup upside down on your skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a vacuum. This causes your skin and connective tissue to rise as your blood vessels expand. The cup is generally left in place for up to 3 minutes.
Here at Fae Fox, I perform a modern version of cupping by utilizing a rubber pump instead of fire to create the vacuum inside the cup. Glass cups and flammable substances aren't ideal to carry around from home to home, after all! I only perform dry cupping, which does not involve controlled bleeding (wet cupping).
Many believe that cupping helps balance yin and yang within the body. Restoring balance between these two extremes is thought to help with the body’s resistance to pathogens as well as its ability to increase blood flow and reduce pain.
Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This may relieve muscle tension, which can improve overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue.
There is a growing body of research digging into how and why cupping may work:
A 2018 review of studies noted that cupping therapy has reported benefits for a variety of conditions that can be categorized as either localized or systematic diseases.
Cupping is thought to alleviate symptoms by promoting peripheral (close to the skin) blood circulation and improving immunity. According to a 2017 study, the mechanical effect of cupping increases local blood flow and stretches underlying tissue.
According to the research mentioned above, cupping may remove toxins by stimulating the immune response, both locally and systemically. It may also eliminate uric acid, a natural waste product from the digestion of certain foods. Uric acid buildup can lead to high levels of acidity in the blood and urine.
Cupping may also have a positive effect on the lymphatic system, which is partially responsible for eliminating your body’s waste. When the flow of lymph is interrupted, it can cause fluid buildup and prevent the body from properly eliminating toxins. Lymphatic drainage massage is one solution to this issue. Similarly, cupping may help increase the flow of lymph and prevent fluid buildup.
Cupping therapy isn’t recommended for everyone. Don’t use cupping if you use blood-thinning medication. Also avoid cupping if you have:
- a sunburn
- a wound
- a skin ulcer
- experienced recent injury
- an internal organ disorder
- thinning skin
Most medical professionals don’t have training or a background in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Still, it’s a good idea to let your doctor know if you choose to add cupping to your treatment plan.
Cupping can complement massage sessions and provide relief in a new way. Contact me to inquire about if adding cupping to your massage session would be a good fit for your needs!
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