Cupping therapy, have you done it yet?

Cupping therapy, have you done it yet?

While most people think about massage, they imagine deep pressure being applied to muscles in order to release stress. But this is not the case of cupping therapy.

By: (Maysa F. Choukeir ) 

History of cupping 

Cupping, despite its current popularity, has been used for thousands of years and may be traced back to ancient Chinese and Egyptian medicine. Cupping was mentioned in one of the world's earliest medical textbooks, Ebers Papyrus, which itself was written around 1550 BC.

Cupping became an approved therapeutic technique in Chinese hospitals in the 1950s after studies by Chinese and former Soviet Union acupuncturists verified its effectiveness. Cupping was also used as an auxiliary technique in traditional Chinese surgery prior to the 1950s. Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, and athlete Michael Phelps have drawn public attention to the traditional advantages of Chinese cupping treatment practices in recent years.

Cupping therapy has evolved over time, and it is now extensively used for pain reduction and musculoskeletal problems.

So what is cupping and how is it performed?

It is a traditional medical technique used to relieve pain and disease effects in many regions of the world, particularly China and the Middle East. It requires using a cup made of glass, ceramic, bamboo, or plastic to create suction on the skin. A physiotherapist creates a vacuum using a rubber pump, which forces the skin to elevate. The blood vessels will dilate, creating a massage effect.

A practitioner can produce suction in the cups in a variety of methods. One way is to wipe the base of the cup with rubbing alcohol, then light it and place it directly on the skin. Vacuum can also be generated by holding an inverted cup over a tiny flame, or by laying an alcohol-soaked cotton pad over an insulating material then igniting the pad and placing an empty cup over the flame to extinguish it. Flames are never utilized near the skin and are never ignited during the cupping process; rather, they are employed to generate the energy that creates the suction within the tiny cups. If all thoses earlier methods leave you in doubt or intimidate you by some way don’t worry there is another way. Another technique of suction was devised towards the end of the twentieth century, in which a valve was built at the top of the jar and a tiny hand-operated pump was attached, allowing the practitioner to suck out air without relying on fire thus avoiding some hazards and having greater control over the amount of suction. Glass and plastic cups were produced, however the plastic ones are not well adapted to sliding over the skin once in place since the edges are not totally smooth and the cups' strength is restricted. This became known today as the suction cup therapy. 

After the suction has been established, the cups can be softly dragged over the skin through a technique known as "gliding cupping". Therapeutic spa oils are occasionally used to help the glass cups slide more smoothly along the skin. The suction in the cups pulls the skin and the superficial muscle layer into the cup. Cupping is opposite to massage in that it utilizes mild pressure to draw muscles upward rather than exerting pressure on them. This is a very soothing and pleasant experience for the majority of people. 

The locations are chosen based on the condition being treated. The cups are frequently put on places with a fair number of muscles. The most popular application place is the back, followed by the breast, abdomen, glutes, and lower limbs. Cupping can also be used to treat other regions, such as the face.

After being suctioned, the cups are usually left in place for around 10 minutes while the patient rests. Because of the congested blood flow, the skin gets reddish. The cup is removed by pushing the skin along its edge to enable some outside air to flow into it, equalizing and relieving the pressure. Some bruising along the cup's rim is to be expected.

Interested to know how cupping can help, let’s check out.

Skin Treatment 

Hives, also known as urticaria, is a common irritating rash that results in red or white lumps on the skin. It affects around one in every five persons at some time in their life, and the cause is unknown in roughly half of the occurrences. Hives are produced by the release of histamine from skin cells known as mast cells. These chemicals cause fluid to leak from tiny blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface, and it is this fluid that causes the bumpy weals on the skin. Histamine compounds force your blood vessels to dilate, or widen, causing those red or white pimples to flare up. It usually creates painful pink or white elevated patches of skin that resemble nettle rash. These so-called weals can form anywhere on the body and may migrate from one location on the skin to another during the course of a 24-hour period.

Acne is a persistent, inflammatory skin disorder that produces pimples and patches on the face, shoulders, back, neck, chest, and upper arms. It is most prevalent during puberty, when the sebaceous glands become active, although it can occur at any age. It is not harmful, although it can cause skin scarring. Male hormones generated by the adrenal glands in both males and females activate the glands, which create oil.

Psoriasis vulgaris is a persistent, immunological dermatological condition that has a major impact on the patient's health and quality of life.

Herpes zoster is a viral infection caused by varicella-zoster virus reactivation. Typically, it is a painful but self-limiting dermatomal rash. Symptoms generally begin with discomfort along the afflicted dermatome, followed by a vesicular eruption in 2-3 days. Painful clustered herpetiform vesicles on an erythematous base are typical physical signs. Antiviral medicines are prescribed within 72 hours of symptom start.

Digestive Diseases

Dysentery is a kind of intestinal inflammation that predominantly affects the colon. It can cause mild to severe stomach pains as well as severe diarrhea with mucus or blood in the stools. It can be deadly if not well hydrated. The most prevalent cause is infection with the Shigella bacillus, or bacteria.

Gastritis is a common term for a collection of diseases that all have one thing in common: inflammation of the stomach lining. Gastritis is usually caused by an infection with the same bacteria that causes most stomach ulcers.

Morning diarrhea is a long-term health concern. 

Irritable bowel syndrome at which is caused by an issue with your large intestine. IBS symptoms can include gas, constipation, stools with mucus, cramping in the abdomen and bloating

Respiratory Diseases

Bronchitis is where an infection occurs in the lungs at the major breathing tubes, the bronchi. Acute bronchitis indicates that the symptoms appear fast and remain for a short period of time. This virus is the most prevalent bronchitis in children and so called pediatric bronchitis. Common symptoms include a cough, fever, runny nose, and body pains. The goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms. It might involve a lot of rest and fluids. 

Asthma is a long-term lung condition. It causes your airways to become inflamed and constricted, making breathing difficult. Asthma is characterized by bronchial tube inflammation and excess sticky secretions within the tubes. Asthmatics have symptoms when their airways constrict, become inflamed, or fill with mucus.

Gynecological Disorders

Leukorrhea is a clear or milky discharge from the vagina that is moderate and odorless. This is normal and healthful in most situations. Some women are concerned that experiencing it implies they have a vaginal infection, but most of the time, it is entirely safe.

Irregular menstruation occurs when the period lasts more than 35 days or fluctuates in length. A period, also known as menstruation, is the phase of the menstrual cycle during which the endometrium, or uterine lining, is shed. This appears as womb bleeding that is discharged via the vagina.

Uterine cramps are throbbing, painful pains in your lower abdomen that occur immediately before and during your menstruation. They are some of the most prevalent and inconvenient aspects of your period. They might occur just before or throughout that period of the month. Many ladies get them on a regular basis. Cramps can range in severity from moderate to severe.

Pain Syndromes

Shoulder blade, soft tissue injury, back pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraines, knee pain and many other various pains are treated by cupping.

Other diseases cupping can also help with are diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension and some blood disorders like anemia. 

You can choose your type of cupping 

There are two types of cupping, the majority of people are familiar with the dry technique and may have never heard of wet cupping.

Dry technique includes simply the use of suction. Dry cupping results in organ blood absorption, organ heat, and organ humidity loss. Whereas, wet technique is the less well-known of the two therapies, involving suction as well as managed medical bleeding. For this method, your practitioner will use a lancet to make a tiny hole in the skin, and then lay the cup over it to draw out a little amount of blood. According to traditional Chinese medicine, it aids in the removal of bad blood and energy. Many athletes choose this alternative to relieve muscular pain, heal more quickly, and improve range of motion.

Who shall do the cupping for you?

Of course not you and you are not going to watch those DIY you-tube videos to perform cupping. There are special practitioners who can do it for you. Cupping can be performed by a massage therapist, chiroprators, your physiotherapist, certified acupuncturists and even some medical doctors.

Should you be concerned?

Cupping is quite safe if performed by a qualified health practitioner. However, the some effects may occur in the region where the cups come into contact with your skin such as infection of the skin, accidental burns and some bruises. Finally beware of sanitation and make sure the equipment used are sterilized. 

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