From Olympic athletes (Michael Phelps) to celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and Lady Gaga, cupping is back in vogue. Maybe you’ve even seen people out and about with tell-tale purple circles on their backs and shoulders, the aftermath of a cupping session. The use of cupping has evolved over time, and these days people most commonly request cupping to relieve chronic muscle soreness or musculoskeletal injuries. But cupping can be used to treat many other complaints, including headaches, hypertension and gastrointestinal issues, including IBS, and even acne.
What is cupping therapy - a brief history
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of
alternative medicine, used in China for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians, however, were the first to use cupping therapy systematically, in order to “remove the foreign matter from the body.” The Greek doctors Hippocrates and Galen were also great advocates of cupping. In the early days the technique was used solely for bleeding purposes. In ancient times, animal horns were used to facilitate the practice, primarily to drain snakebites and lesions. The remedial application of cupping has evolved concurrent to the refinement of the cup itself, and now cups are primarily fabricated out of glass or bamboo.
An old Chinese maxim states “Where there’s stagnation, there will be pain. Remove the stagnation, and you remove the pain.” According to
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pain results from the congestion, stagnation and blockage of Qi, or vital energy, vital fluids, lymph, phlegm and blood. Suffering is a result of obstructed or irregular flow in the body. Cupping is believed to break up blockages in order to restore the body’s natural flow of energy.
What happens during a cupping session?
Cupping is typically offered under the umbrella of TCM. Many acupuncturists offer cupping, and when needles are involved, it’s actually considered a form of acupuncture. These days, many massage therapists also offer cupping, either on its own or used in conjunction with other massage services. Massage practitioners say it enhances massage therapy by increasing blood flow, relaxing the muscles, reducing soreness, releasing fascia and speeding healing of overworked muscles.
During a cupping session, a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. There are two main types of cupping: wet and dry. Dry cupping involves the suction of the skin into the cup. Wet cupping has one extra step in which an incision is made, and blood is drawn from the suctioned area. During both types of cupping, your therapist will put a flammable substance such as alcohol, herbs or paper in a cup and set it on fire. After the fire flames out, they put the cup upside down on your skin. The suction typically lasts for only a few minutes, but it’s enough time to cause the capillaries just beneath the surface to rupture, creating the circular, eye-catching bruises—very similar to the mechanism by which hickies are produced.
The patient feels a “pulling” sensation over the area of the skin where the cups are applied. The intensity of the “pull” is dependent on the size of the cup, location and suction. Of course, all these factors can be varied as needed, depending on the patient’s preference. Most patients find the experience pleasant, although they may be left with localized discoloration that will fade and disappear within a number of days or weeks.
Currently, more research is being performed to provide evidence for the benefits of cupping.
Some
studies suggest it’s an effective treatment for fibromyalgia, another
study shows possible benefits for neck pain, and yet another
study showed that cupping relieved symptoms of knee arthritis.
Who are good candidates for cupping?
Most people can experiment with cupping, but you should check with your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- Bleeding disorders
- Blood clotting problems,
- Skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis
- Seizures
Can you try this at home?
At-home cupping kits exist, but you may find it easier to relax under the care of a professional. Plus, some spots, such as those on your back or neck, may be hard to reach on your own.
Seeing a professional also ensures that the proper technique is followed, as well as a more even application. If you decide you want try cupping at home, ask your practitioner for guidance. They can answer any questions you may have and may be able to recommend a reputable at-home kit.
Are there any risks?
Most experts agree that cupping is safe. As long as those treated don’t mind the circular discolorations, side effects tend to be limited to the pinch experienced during skin suction. rarely, skin infections have been reported, but other than that no serious issues.
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