What is Cupping?
Cupping is an effective therapy that has existed for thousands of years. It’s excellent for treating muscular aches and pains, stubborn knots and tension, headaches, and even internal conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, restless leg syndrome, and asthma. Gentle abdominal cupping can also treat painful menstruation and constipation, for example.
During fire cupping with glass cups, a small flame draws the oxygen out of a cup before it is placed on the body. This creates a gentle vacuum which draws blood and fluids through your body tissue. During a silicone cup treatment, soft and malleable silicone cups are used, which can more easily contour to bony and angular areas on the body. Practitioners squeeze them to create suction manually. Both glass and silicone cups can create gentle to strong suction, depending on the person, the area, and the condition being treated.
Cupping therapy acts on the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, the integumentary system, the nervous system, and the musculoskeletal system. It encourages the flow of lymph, which is essential to the immune system and removal of toxins and cellular waste. It encourages circulation of blood, bringing fresh nutrients and oxygen to your muscles and fascia and encouraging the healing and hydration of your body. The treatment also increases collagen production (which is especially relevant for facial cupping), relaxes the nervous system, and releases muscular tension.
Does it always leave marks?
With the exception of facial cupping and gentle treatments in general, cups typically leave marks on the skin. Depending on your condition and on your treatment, the markings you experience may be pale, red with petechiae, dark purple, or they may be different colours on different areas of your body. They can sometimes look similar to bruises, but are not typically tender. These marks are a normal part of the treatment and healing process. Any marks usually fade quickly and resolve within 3-14 days.
Is Cupping safe?
Both fire and silicone cupping are very safe treatments when performed by a trained and registered professional such as a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP) or Acupuncturist (R.Ac). They’ll take your condition and constitution into account, and provide a treatment that suits your needs. Cups should never be left in one place for a prolonged period of time, and they should never hurt. It doesn’t have to hurt to work!
Cupping is not suitable for everyone. Your practitioner will be able to tell you if cupping is appropriate for you!
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