What is cupping?
Cupping has been used for hundreds of years as a natural means of promoting healing and wellness. It’s been used to treat muscle pain and tension, colds and flus, and other health issues, all the way back to ancient Egyptian times—proof that this is a tried-and-true method!
Cupping is a holistic treatment that involves placing cups on the body. These cups may be glass, silicone, or plastic.
For glass cups, the practitioner uses an alcohol-soaked cotton ball and long tweezers or forceps to hold it. The cotton ball is lit on fire and placed in the cup so that the fire consumes the oxygen inside the cup. This creates a vacuum so that when the fire is removed and the cup is placed on the person’s body, there is suction.
Silicone cups are pliable, so suction is created by compressing them and then applying them to the body. Plastic cups use a suction device like a pump to remove the air from the inside of the cup.
Cupping treatment may be done on its own, but is often included as part of an acupuncture session.
What are the benefits of cupping?
Cupping can be used for a variety of ailments and conditions, including back pain, neck pain, joint pain, headache, and tension. Cupping may also improve circulation throughout the body and help reduce inflammation.
What can you expect during cupping treatment?
The cups can be left on the skin for anywhere from 5 – 15 minutes without moving, allowing for a suction that aids in loosening tight muscles. This is particularly effective for patients who are experiencing aches and pains as well as those suffering from chronic tension.
The practitioner may put oil on the skin, so they are able to move the cups along the surface of the body, creating a massage-like feel that helps to increase blood flow to certain areas. This type of cupping is commonly used when treating muscle tension and stiffness, particularly in the back, shoulders, and neck.
Cupping, especially stationary cupping, can leave circular marks on the skin that look like bruises, which last for a few days afterwards. These marks are not damaging or painful and they are temporary.