CUPPING THERAPY
The cupping method has the function of warming and promoting the free flow of Qi and blood in the meridians, dispelling cold dampness, diminishing swellings and pains.
In clinics, the cupping method is mainly used to treat Bi syndrome caused by wind dampness, such as pain of the low back, shoulder, and leg, gastrointestinal disorders such as stomachache, vomiting, and diarrhea, and lung diseases such as cough and asthma.
Cupping is an adjunctive technique used in acupuncture treatments. It has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Cups can be made from glass, bamboo, animal horns and shells, and plastic.
There are many different ways to cup, the most common ways are Fire Cupping and Suction Cupping. For Fire cupping, cups are applied to the skin using a flame to create a vacuum. We often describe it as a reverse massage. Instead of applying pressure, the skin is gently drawn upwards by creating a vacuum in a cup over the affected area. The cups stay in place for around 5-15 minutes and are not painful or uncomfortable. In fact, people often love the feeling of cups, comparing it to a nice deep massage.
Suction cupping is almost the same, however, no flame is used. The cups are made to suction once place on the skin. The cupping method combined with bloodletting is suitable to treat pain accompanied by blood stasis.
The jars are left in position for 10 to 15 minutes while the vacuum inside the cup produces strong suction on the skin and increases the blood flow and circulation. The cup is releases by pressing the skin next to the edge of the cup so that the vacuum is broken.
Cupping therapy can be used to treat all sorts of ailments and aches. It is very well known for the treatment of pain, deep scar tissue in the muscles and connective tissue, muscle knots, swelling, rheumatism, and stiff neck and shoulders as it increases circulation and the mobility of affected areas.
It does so by resetting the fascia that lies under the muscle and keeping the shape of the muscle. Tension and stagnation can alter the tone of the muscle and fascia and create “knots” and trigger points. Cupping helps disperse this stagnation.
What some people might not know about cupping therapy is that it is a great way to help stimulate detoxification, loosen phlegm in the lungs, and improve overall circulation. The cupping action draws toxins to the surface of the skin where the immune system is better able to eliminate them.
Cupping can sometimes result in temporary discoloration of the skin called petechiae. These marks are associated with improved blood flow to the area and naturally, dissipate within a few days. They tend to look like small circular bruises, and often cause more alarm than is necessary. While a bruise may hurt, cupping marks do not.
If you’re near the Riverside area, come in and try our cupping therapy today.
What Is Cupping? Here’s What You Need to Know – Time
