ABOUT CUPPING
What is cupping?
Cupping draws the skin and the superficial layer of muscle up into a glass cup. Though this may sound and look strange, it is a very pleasant sensation. If you enjoy massage you will enjoy cupping. Rather than using hands to push on muscles the cups pull the muscles. Indeed, it is used in many cultures as a massage technique. Most people find it to be a very relaxing and invigorating treatment.
The healing power of cupping
Cupping disperses local qi or blood stagnation that can lead to pain or illness (see About Oriental Medicine). It also dispels the heat that is often a result of illness. Drawing up the skin opens up the skin’s pores, which helps to stimulate the flow of blood, balances and realigns the flow of qi, breaks up obstructions, and creates an avenue for toxins and excess fluids to be drawn out of the body. In addition, cupping can loosen adhesions, bring blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles and stimulate the peripheral nervous system.
Cupping is beneficial for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, and congestion; arthritis; gastrointestinal disorders; and certain types of pain and swelling.
What to expect
Cupping may be performed as an alternative to or in conjunction with acupuncture. The cups are of rounded glass and are warmed by burning an alcohol swab for a very short time in the cup. The cup is then quickly placed over the selected area. Because the flame from the alcohol eliminates the oxygen in the cup a vacuum is created which pulls the skin up inside the glass.
Depending on the condition cups are left in place for 5 to 15 minutes. Sometimes there are several cups placed which remain stationary, or sometimes lubricating oil will be placed on the skin first so cups can be moved over an area. The skin becomes reddened due to the congestion of blood flow. The cup is removed by pressing the skin along side it to allow some outside air to leak into it, thus equalizing the pressure and releasing it. Some bruising along the site of the rim of the cup is expected. However the bruising is generally painless and fades in a couple of days.
To learn more about cupping visit these websites: