Cupping therapy is an ancient alternative therapy. People may have heard about it but may not know what it really is. Many celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow are going for this therapy, but is it effective?
This blog looks at what cupping therapy is. What are the benefits and conditions it may be effective for?
What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is an ancient therapy practiced by Chinese, Unani, traditional Korean, and Tibetan cultures. Cupping therapy goes by many names like Hijama therapy or, vacuum therapy. There are several mentions of cupping therapy in medical texts. One of the oldest mentions is in Eber’s papyrus dating 1550 BC.
Cupping or Hijamah treatment involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. This suction improves the flow of energy in the body which facilitates healing. It is believed that cupping therapy helps balance the yin and yang (negative and positive )in the body. Balancing these two extremes helps increase bodies resistance to pathogens, increases blood flow, and reduces pain.
How is Cupping/ Hijamah Done?
Cupping therapy is a special massage technique in which a therapist places a heated cup on the skin, which then cools and creates suction. This suction pulls the skin upward into the cup.
The suction force expands and breaks the tiny blood vessels under the skin. The body treats the cupping area like an injury and sends more blood to the area.
This reduces muscle tension, improves overall blood flow, and promotes cell repair. It also helps form new connective tissue and creates new blood vessels within the tissue. Consequently, a natural healing process is stimulated.
There are four main categories of cupping performed today:
- Dry cupping: a suction-only method.
- Wet/bleeding cupping: Suction is created along small medical cuts known as Hijamah cupping.
- Running cupping: involves moving suctioned cups around the body after applying oil to massage the desired area.
- Flash cupping: involves quick, repeated suction and release of cups on an area of the body.
Give Cupping therapy a try and see if it work for you. Register for our Cupping or Hijama Therapy camp. Click here for details.
What Conditions Can Cupping Therapy Treat?
Cupping therapy has been used to soothe an array of complaints and ailments. People believe it to be especially helpful in alleviating conditions that lead to muscle pain and tension.
According to The British Cupping Society, cupping is used to treat:
- Blood disorders such as anemia and hemophilia.
- Rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
- Fertility and gynecological disorders.
- Skin problems such as eczema and acne.
- Muscular aches and pain
- Migraines and headaches.
- Anxiety and depression.
Other conditions that cupping or can treat includes:
- Lower back pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Knee pain
- Shingles
- Facial paralysis
- Cough and dyspnoea
- Acne
- Lumbar disc herniation
- Cervical spondylosis
- Brachialgia is the pain produced by a trapped nerve in the neck
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Does Cupping Therapy Have any Side Effects?
Cupping does not have any side effects. However, a few side effects occur either during the treatment or right after like:
- Circular marks on the skin where the cups were
- Discoloration of the skin
- Dizziness
The discoloration or marks usually go away within seven days of the treatment.
Does Cupping Therapy Help?
Cupping therapy is an ancient practice that is gaining popularity in the Western world as a form of alternative medicine. More and more research is underway on how and why this ancient therapy may be effective.
A 2018 review of studies found that cupping has been reported to improve symptoms for a variety of conditions, both localized and systemic.
According to the 2018 review, the effects of cupping treatment include :
- Promoting the skin’s blood flow
- Changing the skin’s biomechanical properties
- Increasing pain thresholds
- Improving local anaerobic (without oxygen) metabolism
- Reducing inflammation
- Boosting cellular immunity
A 2019 study found that there is not one definitive explanation for the effects of cupping, but several theories which include:
- Altering pain signal processing
- Using counter-irritation, or pain to reduce pain
- Stimulating increased blood circulation through the release of nitric oxide
- Stimulating the immune system with artificial local inflammation
- Increasing the level of immune products, such as interferon and tumor necrotizing factor
- Increasing the flow of lymph in the lymphatic system
- Decreasing uric acid and both types of cholesterol.
- Changing the molecular structure and function of hemoglobin (Hb).
Why Should You Try Cupping Therapy?
Cupping has a plethora of benefits to offer. 10 reasons why you should go for this therapy.
1. Cupping reduces pain and inflammation.
2. It improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
3. It promotes relaxation, well-being, and deep-tissue massage
4. It is a safe, non-invasive, and inexpensive treatment
5. It facilitates the healing process and strengthens the immune system.
6. It improves joint health by increasing the secretion of synovial fluid.
7. Cupping stimulates the sensory nerves of the skin and the autonomous nervous system.
8. Cupping improves the functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands of the skin.
9. Cupping increases peristalsis and secretion of digestive enzymes.
10. Cupping/ Hijamah therapy improves blood circulation and the functioning of RBCs and WBCs.
Who Can Perform Cupping Therapy?
A variety of professionals can receive training to perform cupping, including:
- Acupuncturists.
- Chiropractors.
- Massage therapists.
- Medical doctors.
- Physical therapists/Physiotherapists.
A well-trained and qualified therapist can guide you toward the treatment associated with your conditions.
Book a Consult with our therapists. Also check out the details of our Cupping camp
To Sum It Up
Cupping Or Hijamah therapy is an ancient form of alternative therapy practiced for thousands of years. As we noted, Cupping does not side effects. It is a non-invasive treatment and inexpensive too. Therefore, one a can always give this ancient therapy a chance.
