What Is Cupping Therapy?

Alternative treatments have become popular recently, and cupping is one of them. Though we categorize it as alternative medicine, the truth is that cupping is an ancient practice, so much so that it can date back to 1500 BC: "a mention in the famous Egyptian Papyrus Ebers (1550 BC)."

Cupping therapy is an ancient alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction.

The suction draws blood vessels to the surface and may help blood flow, pain relief, and relaxation. There are different cupping techniques, and the cups can be placed on different body parts, depending on your needs. Cupping therapy is said to be beneficial for many conditions, including pain, anxiety, blood circulation problems, and digestive issues.

Cupping is an alternative medicine or treatment with roots in ancient Chinese traditions (TCM). One basic premise lies behind the practice - We can heal our bodies and relieve pain by promoting healing with improved circulation and reducing inflammation.

Cupping is popular within the China healthcare system, with the rest of the world slowly implementing it into their alternative medicine practices, as studies suggest it can positively impact patients.

If you have not heard about cupping and want to know more about it, you have come to the right place! We will review how it works, whether it has side effects and everything you need to know before giving it a try.

Does Cupping Therapy Work?

A therapist uses a cup on your skin to create a suction. This suction creates a "new flow" that redirects blood, reduces inflammation, relaxes your muscles and overall body, and helps deal with pain.

There are two types of cupping sessions: dry and wet.

Regardless of which type you sign up for, your therapist sets on fire substances like herbs or alcohol. As the fire extinguishes, they place the cup on your skin, creating a vacuum and causing your blood vessels to expand. The process usually lasts up to three minutes.

Then, the therapist opens tiny cuts on your skin to perform a second suction. This process draws out some blood and heals your body. The oxygen supply increases, causing inflammation and area tension to decrease.

Sometimes, your therapist will also combine the treatment with acupuncture. These cups can contain different materials, such as:

• Glass

• Bamboo

• Earthenware

• Silicone

The one used depends on the therapist you visit and your specific needs. Some cups can even provide a massage-like effect since they can be moved from place to place on your skin (as with silicone).

What Are The Benefits Of Cupping Therapy?

While the exact mechanisms of how cupping works to ease pain and treat various conditions are not fully understood, several theories exist.

Scientific studies on cupping are limited, but some evidence suggests potential benefits. A report published in 2015 in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine indicated that cupping might help with acne, herpes zoster, and pain management.

However, researchers noted that many studies reviewed could be biased and emphasized the need for better-designed research. Despite this, many people find relief through cupping therapy. According to scientific research, some benefits of this practice are: 

• It helps increase circulation

• It increases pain thresholds and reduces overall discomfort

• It improved metabolism

• It stimulates and improves the immune system

• It decreases cholesterol and uric acid

Specific conditions that may benefit from cupping are:

• Pain (back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, etcetera)

• Bronchitis

• Hypertension

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Musculoskeletal such as Carpal tunnel syndrome - One of the most widespread syndromes

• Irritable bowel disease (IBD)

• Headaches, migraines, etcetera

Does Cupping Therapy Cause Bruising?

Cupping does not involve any significant risks, though there are two main effects of cupping:

• Allergies: Since the cup materials differ significantly from one therapist, you should be wary if you are allergic to plastic, silicone, or other fabrics.

• Bruises: The practice creates suction on your skin to promote good circulation, which may break tiny vessels, leading to bruises. These marks fade in one to two weeks and do not represent any detriment to your health.

You will not feel uneasy during the process - The downsides arise once the treatment is done. Still, the natural healing process will see any skin discoloration and/or skin damage created by the suction cups start to fade within a few days or weeks. We encourage you to ask your doctor or therapist if you feel uncomfortable or have further doubts.

Is Cupping Therapy Legit?

You may wonder whether this practice is legit or scientifically proven. According to Healthline, the scientific bibliography is growing and suggests that cupping indeed has benefits for some conditions.

One should combine cupping with other traditional approaches suggested by a healthcare provider. Although it is impossible to know what percentage of the benefits are due to cupping, this combination helps reduce pain and solve other problems.

How Is Cupping Performed?

The steps for cupping vary slightly depending on the type chosen. Your doctor will position the cups in place for a certain time, depending on the cupping you choose. Some have the cups briefly dragged across the skin to stretch or massage your skin.

Depending on the treatment, your provider may place multiple cups on your skin. Cupping methods include:

• Dry Cupping: Also known as Fire Cupping, your practitioner heats the inside of each cup with a liquor-soaked ball of cotton that is set afire. The heat removes oxygen from the cup, sucking your skin up into the cup. Your provider may use a scoop to create a vacuum in the cup.

• Wet Cupping: Your practitioner will use a small needle to pierce your skin before and sometimes after cupping. Toxins in the darts travel down to your bloodstream through the puncture wounds created during the cupping procedure.
  

Is Cupping Therapy Painful?

The most important thing to remember is that cupping is safe, even though your skin will be susceptible after the sessions. Therefore, you should not do things that make it worse, such as exfoliating or sunbathing without protection. It would help if you also avoided shaving before the appointment.

Hydration is also advisable, as your lymphatic system uses water to reduce toxins and clear your system. The point of cupping is to detox and heal your body, so make sure to drink plenty of water.

Who Can Benefit From Cupping?

People have used cupping therapy for over 2,000 years to reduce the pain associated with back problems, neck pain, headaches, knee pain, dizziness and numerous other issues. Cupping as a treatment for those who want to reduce it entails creating suction from a compressed air source to pull blood into the dermis. 

• Back pain: Many people use cupping for back pain. It may help relieve chronic lower back pain and muscle soreness from exercise or injury.

• Neck pain: Cupping may help relieve tension headaches and neck aches caused by tight muscles in your shoulders and neck. Cupping was found to improve neck ache in sufferers compared with no intervention or active control groups or as a stand-alone treatment. Depending on the kind of control group, cupping was also associated with a gain in effectiveness in terms of functionality and quality of life; however, due to the low quality of evidence assessed, definitive conclusions could not be made. 

• Arthritis or other joint pain: Cupping may help treat osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, or other conditions that cause body-wide joint pain. The heat and gentle massage of the cup can reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and relieve stiffness in your joints.

• Anxiety and depression: Cupping has been used to ease stress and anxiety in some cultures for centuries. When a trained practitioner glides the cups across your skin, your parasympathetic nervous system evaluates. This facilitates relaxation and travels through your entire body thoroughly. (Introducing your parasympathetic nervous system reduces heart rate, stimulates digestion, and starts bowel and gland activities.) The deep tissue massage may promote relaxation and increased blood flow to your brain, which is thought to be beneficial for reducing symptoms of anxiety or depression.

So, Can Cupping Promote Healing?

We hope while there is so much more to learn that you have found something new or gained confidence in what a cupping treatment can do for someone.

Whether you are looking to help ease an ailment issue causing you chronic pain or wish to promote healing to a nasty sprain or another of your body's anatomical imbalances, a cupping session can be the right direction.

In conclusion, performing cupping is a helpful addition to many people’s healing journeys. It is important to remember that cupping is not a cure-all but can be a valuable tool in your self-care arsenal. If you are interested in exploring cupping, be sure to consult with one of our licensed practitioners.

But please don't hesitate to give us a call or ask your Acupuncturist about undergoing cupping therapy during your next session. Our therapists are trained and certified in using safe and reliable cupping techniques, so if you have any questions about the effectiveness of cupping, then do not hesitate to ask.

If you have any further doubts or questions regarding this subject or another treatment, contact one of our experienced Acupuncturists or Registered Massage Therapists here at West End Wellness Clinic. You can either give us a call or make an appointment.

Disclaimer: Please remember this article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider or someone with the correct qualifications before starting any new exercise or treatment program.