More Information on Cupping
Cupping Therapy is the method of using glass, plastic, bamboo, or suction cups to create localized pressure by a vacuum. Chinese Medicine Practitioners have been doing this healing modality for thousands of years. In ancient times they utilized this technique by using heat inside glass or bamboo cups.
Acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine Practitioners/Doctors of today also use plastic “suction” cupping sets, which use suction to create vacuum. The vacuum inside the cups causes the blood to form in the area and help the healing in that area.
Cupping therapy has been found in ancient records dating back 3500 years and it is still used today by many Licensed Acupuncturists & Chinese Medicine Practitioners/Doctors.
New advancement in technology and materials have been integrated with cupping therapies and its uses now range for many different treatments and applications.
In Acupuncture & Chinese medicine we utilize several methods depending upon the patients needs. Only Licensed Acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine Practitioners/Doctors have enough knowledge, training, clinical experience, & expertise to differentiate the appropriate diagnostic method for each individual patient.
These professionals use cupping for several different purposes. Here are a few:
- 1. Meridian restoration and re-balancing. The body contains Meridians. These meridians are energetic pathways in the body which the energy of life called Qi ("chi") flows through. It flows through every body part, tissue, and organs. Like acupuncture, cupping follows the lines of the meridians. There are five meridian lines on the back, and these are where the cups are usually placed. Using these points, cupping can help to align and relax qi, as well as target more specific maladies. By targeting the meridian channels, cupping strives to 'open' these channels - the paths through which life energy flows freely throughout the body, through all tissues and organs, thus providing a smoother and more free-flowing qi (life force). Cupping is one of the best deep-tissue therapies available. It is thought to affect tissues up to four inches deep from the external skin. Toxins can be released, blockages can be cleared, and veins and arteries can be refreshed within these four inches of affected materials. Even hands, wrists, legs, and ankles can be 'cupped,' thus applying the healing to specific organs that correlate with these points. This treatment is also valuable for the lungs, and can clear congestion from a common cold or help to control a person's asthma. In fact, respiratory conditions are one of the most common maladies that cupping is used to relieve. Three thousand years ago, in the earliest Chinese documentation of cupping, it was recommended for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.
- 2. Lympathic toxins release. Cupping therapy can release of toxins in your body. The suction from the cups can penetrate deep into your tissues causing the tissues to release harmful toxins. The cupping draws fresh blood and lymph into the tissue to accelerate the healing response. It triggers the lymphatic system, clears the blood vessels, and stretches and activates the skin.
- 3. Myo-fascial, trigger point, musculo-tendon, musculoskeletal cupping. This is used when there is injury, either chronic or traumatic. In these cases, the fascia is also affected, not just the muscles, ligaments and tendons. If the network of fascial planes is disrupted due to scar tissue adhesions (sometimes referred to as knots), restrictions in function and mobility will result. Decreasing mechanical connective tissue changes following inflammation or trauma, decreases trigger points (presence of hypersensitive, tender tissue within the muscle belly) , decreases musculoskeletal dysfunction, scar tissue adhesions, and myofascial syndromes; i.e. faulty patterning due to hypertonic muscles.
***** NOTE: As there are several cautions and contraindications with any treatments modalities and a necessity of a thorough and correct diagnosis of each individual patient is required. The ancient art of cupping should only be done by those thoroughly trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine.