The Benefits of Cupping Therapy: Is it the Right Choice for You?
What is cupping therapy?
Cupping is a therapeutic technique that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern medicine. It involves placing cups made of glass, plastic, or silicone on the skin and creating a vacuum to suction the skin and underlying tissues upwards. This technique can be used on its own, but is often used in conjunction with massage, acupuncture, or other forms of bodywork to help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation.
In recent years, cupping has gained popularity in the Western world as well, with many athletes, celebrities, and wellness enthusiasts incorporating it into their self-care routines. Despite its long history of use, cupping remains somewhat controversial, with some skeptics questioning its effectiveness and safety.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at cupping and explore its benefits, what it can treat, and the science behind it. We’ll also provide some tips for finding a qualified practitioner and ensuring a safe and effective cupping experience.
Types of Cupping
Doing a quick search online for cupping therapy, you may have noticed that there are a few different types of cups. You may be wondering what the difference is between them, or which type you should choose. The short answer is that they all have the same mechanism and effect. Which type to use is mainly based on the practitioners preference.
Glass cups:
Glass cups are used for fire cupping. Although the name may sound scary, fire cupping just means the practitioner creates the vacuum seal with heat from the flame of a lit cottonball and quickly swirling it inside the cup and removing it before the cup is placed on the skin. There is no flame in the cup when it goes on your body. This is one of the most common types of cupping therapy.
This technique is best left to qualified practitioners as there is a small risk of burning the patient if the cottonball is dropped or held near the skin.
Plastic cups:
Plastic cups are also commonly used, and rely on a handheld pump to suction out the air in the cup creating a vacuum seal once the cup is already on the skin. One of the benefits is there is more control over the amount of suction in the cups, and no risk of burns from flame.
Silicone cups:
These cups are more commonly used for facial cupping, as they provide less suction and are easy to move around. They can still be used on other parts of the body, but generally don’t provide as strong of an effect compared to glass or plastic cups.
No matter which type of cup your practitioner uses, they are all beneficial when cupping is performed by a qualified practitioner.
Benefits of Cupping:
So how exactly can cupping therapy help you? Here are some of the top benefits of cupping therapy:
- Pain relief
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved blood flow and circulation
- Reduced muscle tension and soreness
- Improved immune system function
- Improved digestion
- Improved skin health
This list is not exhaustive and it is always worth reaching out to a qualified practitioner to see if cupping could benefit your health/condition.
What Can Cupping Treat?
Cupping can treat a wide range of conditions, including:
1. Musculoskeletal Pain:
Cupping is often used to treat musculoskeletal pain, including back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain. The suction created by the cups helps to improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which can reduce inflammation and pain. Cupping can also help to release tight muscles and fascia, improving range of motion and flexibility.
For example, if you have chronic back pain, your practitioner may place cups on your back to create suction and increase blood flow to the affected area. This can help to reduce inflammation and pain, while also improving muscle and joint mobility.
2. Respiratory Issues:
Cupping can also be used to treat respiratory issues, such as asthma, bronchitis, and common colds. By placing cups on the chest or back, cupping can help to improve lung function, reduce inflammation, and clear congestion.
For example, if you have asthma, a cupping practitioner may place cups on your chest and back to improve lung function and reduce inflammation. This can help to alleviate symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.
3. Digestive Issues:
Cupping can also be used to treat digestive issues, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, and diarrhea. By placing cups on the abdomen, cupping can help to improve digestion, reduce abdominal pain and bloating, and stimulate the digestive system.
4. Stress and Anxiety:
Cupping can also be used to treat stress and anxiety. By placing cups on the back and shoulders (areas where we generally hold the most stress), cupping can help to promote relaxation, reduce muscle tension, and improve circulation. This can be especially helpful for stress related headaches and neck pain.
5. Skin health:
Cupping can also be very beneficial for the skin. By increasing blood flow and circulation, cupping may help to improve the appearance and texture of the skin, as well as reduce inflammation and redness.
Some of the specific skin conditions that cupping may be used to treat include acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Cupping can help to stimulate the lymphatic system, which can help to remove toxins and other waste products from the body, leading to clearer and healthier skin. It can also help to improve the skins elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The suction created by the cups can stimulate collagen production, which is essential for maintaining youthful-looking skin.
Overall, cupping is a versatile therapy that can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. By promoting circulation, reducing inflammation, and improving overall health and wellness, cupping can help to support a healthy mind and body.
The Science Behind Cupping
What its actually doing:
Cupping works by creating a suction effect on the skin and underlying tissues. The vacuum created by the cup pulls the skin and soft tissues upwards, which can help to increase blood flow and circulation, reduce inflammation, and release tension in the muscles and fascia. This can also stimulate the immune system and encourage the body’s natural healing processes.
Does it leave a bruise?
Cupping leaves dark bruise-like marks on the skin due to the suction created by the cups. Although they look like a bruise, they do not feel like one. When the cups are placed on the skin and suction is created, the vacuum effect draws blood and other fluids to the surface of the skin. This can cause small blood vessels, or capillaries, to rupture, which can lead to the appearance of the characteristic circular marks.
The darker the marks, the more stagnant blood and toxins were present in the treated area. The marks may last from a few days to several weeks, but are generally not painful and will gradually fade over time. The marks are considered to be a normal and expected side effect of cupping therapy, and are not harmful or indicative of any underlying health issues
Pro Tip:
If you have a special event coming up where you plan to take pictures or wear an outfit that exposes the treated area, it’s best to avoid scheduling cupping therapy right before. The characteristic circular marks can last anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, depending on the level of suction used during treatment and how your body responds. To avoid the appearance of the marks, plan to get cupping at least 2 weeks beforehand or wait until afterwards. This way, you can ensure that the marks have faded enough to be less noticeable and not interfere with your event or outfit.
Who cupping is not for:
Cupping is not the right therapy if you have any condition where you bruise or bleed extremely easily. As the nature of cupping is to draw the soft tissue into the cup which ruptures some of the capillaries, it may cause too much trauma and lead to bruising. It is also recommended to ask your provider if cupping is right for you, rather than just assume and request it. It may not be necessary or the best therapy for your particular condition.
It is also important to only receive cupping from a qualified practitioner and to avoid areas of the body with thin skin or bony prominences. Although there are plenty of cupping kits you can purchase online, doing it yourself at home can lead to bruising, blisters or further injury.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cupping is an ancient therapeutic technique that has been used for centuries to promote healing and alleviate pain. While it may still be considered somewhat controversial in the Western world, there is growing scientific evidence to support its effectiveness for a variety of conditions.
Cupping is generally safe when performed by a qualified practitioner, but it’s important to be aware of potential side effects and to only receive cupping from a reputable source. If you’re interested in trying cupping, it’s always a good idea to discuss this with a healthcare professional first to determine if it’s appropriate for you.
Overall, cupping is a fascinating and intriguing practice that offers many potential benefits for both physical and mental health. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, stress, or other health issues, cupping may be worth exploring as a complementary therapy to help support your overall well-being.
Leave a comment below if this was helpful or you have any other questions!
Disclaimer: Although I am a Licensed Acupuncturist, I am not YOUR Licensed Acupuncturist, and therefore am not giving you medical/health advice. This post is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. This post is not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional before making any medical/health related decisions.
