FAQs About Cupping
What is cupping—and what are the benefits of this ancient type of treatment? Practiced for thousands of years in Eastern medicine, this therapy can treat an array of physical issues. If traditional Western medicine hasn't worked for you, take a look at what you need to know about a cupping treatment.
What Happens During This Treatment?
It's all in the name. This type of treatment uses actual cups to relieve pain and other physical issues. The specific type of cup used depends on the practitioner—but may include glass, plastic, bamboo, or ceramic. Likewise, the way the practitioner applies the cups may also vary.
Some practitioners use a dry method. They will first heat the cup to displace or move oxygen out of the cup. The result is a vacuum that creates suction on the skin. Wet therapy is similar to the dry method. But instead of applying the cup to dry, unbroken skin, the practitioner will puncture the skin first. This allows the cup's vacuum to draw out the blood.
What Are the Benefits of This Treatment?
Why choose this alternative therapy? Again, this method isn't new—it has thousands of years of use behind it. Potential uses include the reduction of back, neck, or shoulder pain and the treatment of arthritis, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches/migraines. If you're not sure whether cupping can help your physical issue, talk to a qualified practitioner. The provider can review the research that applies to your specific condition and help you to understand the benefits you may (or may not) experience from this treatment.
How Does This Therapy Work?
What does a vacuum suction on the skin have to do with pain or physical ailments? According to a research review published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, this type of treatment promotes blood flow (in the area under the cups), can potentially change the skin's biomechanical properties, improves anaerobic metabolism, decreases inflammation, and may even increase your pain threshold.
Is There A Post-Treatment Recovery Time?
You can return to most normal daily activities immediately after cupping. You may have some discoloration, bruising, or marks in the treatment area. This means the backless dress you want to wear the night after your session may need to wait. Some people may also experience fatigue or muscle soreness after a treatment. Talk to your practitioner about what you can expect after the therapy. They will review the potential side effects based on your individual needs.
Contact a company like Acu Massage for more information.
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