Have you ever come across people with red round marks on their backs and shoulders and have been wondering, what are they? Are they some kind of allergies they picked, are these contagious or what?
Well, you have nothing to worry about! The cat is out of the bag as these come from cupping therapy. We will cover everything you need to know about cupping therapy. Read on.
What is cupping therapy?
Cupping therapy, an ancient form of alternative medicine, uses special cups on the skin. The therapist creates suction by putting the cups on your body for a few minutes and then removing them. The cups are used to treat pain, inflammation, and blood flow; to relax muscles; as a form of deep-tissue massage; and as a way to help athletes recover from injuries faster. People are rediscovering the benefits of cupping today—it’s becoming more common for people to request this treatment because it relieves chronic muscle soreness.
Types of cupping therapy
- Dry Cupping
- Wet Cupping
- Running Cupping
- Flush Cupping
How does cupping work?
Glass, ceramic, silicone, and bamboo cups are used in this therapy. The therapist lights a flammable material inside the cup. When the flame goes out and as the air inside the cup cools, it is placed on the client’s body upside down, for 3 minutes or more, this creates a vacuum and the skin starts rising and reddens as the blood vessels expand.
This suction by pulling the skin towards the cup helps in drawing the toxins out of the tissue resulting in improved blood circulation. Sometimes. many cups are placed on a single area of the client’s body, such as the back, leg, or arm.
Modern therapists sometimes use a rubber pump instead of fire to create a vacuum inside the cup, which helps them get a deeper massage on your skin. Some therapists also use silicone cups, which they can move from place to place on your skin for a massage-like effect.
Wet cupping therapy is a healing method used by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine to remove harmful substances and toxins from the body to promote healing. The cups are usually made of glass or metal, and they’re left in place for about three minutes while the therapist applies a mild suction with a cup shaped like a teacup. Then, he uses a small scalpel to make very small cuts on your skin. A second suction is applied to draw out some blood. Some people also get “needle cupping,” in which acupuncture needles are first inserted into your skin and then put into cups over them so that they can hold onto them during treatment. To avoid infection, you might be given an antibiotic ointment and bandage. Your skin should heal in 10 days.
Supporters of the therapy believe that it helps you get rid of bad things in your body that might be causing you harm. But again, there’s no proof that it does anything.
So, if you ask, does cupping hurt?
You might feel a slight pulling sensation in the process but, it is rather relaxing than painful. You might feel a little discomfort as a part of the side effect but, it is an absolutely safe procedure.
Benefits of Cupping – reasons why you should try it
- It helps increase blood circulation
- It releases body toxins
- It helps in reducing anxiety
- It helps in reducing stretch marks & scars
- It helps to reduce varicose and spider veins
- It helps in treating asthma and congestion
- It helps in soothing the gut and improves digestion
Cupping therapy – side effects
Cupping is fairly safe and there are not many side effects so to speak. You might experience some on your skin as the cup touches it and you see these immediately after the treatment and it’s nothing to worry about. These may include:
- Mild discomfort/dizziness
- Burns
- Bruises
- Skin infection
Closure
Cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese medical technique that has been used for thousands of years to aid in the relief of a variety of conditions. From pain to increased blood flow, from digestion to congestion, from anxiety to immunity, cupping therapy is working wonders for many people today! If this isn’t enough of a reason for you to try cupping therapy or if you’re still wondering whether or not you should try it out, we’re here to help you with any questions you might have. Give us a call at (860) 404-2587 and book an appointment with Heather Mogielnicki, who is a certified and trained therapist in safe and effective cupping techniques.
