Cupping was likely first performed using animal horns. In the past, cups were initially made from natural materials like hollowed-out gourds, shells, and even animal horns. Later on, bamboo became a common material for making cups, followed by ceramic. Suction therapy was developed using heated cups, which were then applied to the skin. As the cups cooled, they created suction and pulled the skin inward.
Modern cupping is often performed using bell-shaped glass cups, though they may also be made of plastic or silicone.
There are four primary varieties of cupping performed today:
- Dry cupping is a method that involves suction only.
- Wet/bleeding cupping, on the other hand, may include both suction and controlled medicinal bleeding.
- Running cupping concerns moving suctioned cups around the body after spreading oil to massage the selected area.
- Finally, flash cupping involves quick, repeated suction and release of cups on an area of the body.
Cupping may also involve the use of:
- acupuncture needles
- moxibustion, or the burning of mugwort leaves
- magnets
- laser therapy
- electrical stimulation
- water
- Herbs
What should I expect during a cupping treatment?
Cupping is sometimes performed with acupuncture treatments. You can skip the meals or eat only light meals 2 to 3 hours before your cupping session for best results.
During a cupping treatment in Michigan, you can anticipate the following:
- During your visit to the practitioner, they will inquire about the symptoms you have been experiencing and may ask for your detailed medical history if this is your first visit.
- The practitioner will then place cups on your skin, creating a suction effect and pressure.
- The cups may be placed using only heat or suction.
- Depending on the type of cupping, the practitioner may leave you to rest for a few minutes before removing the cups.
- After the session, you may notice redness and light bruising on your skin.
How long will my session last?
The cup is kept in place with dry cupping for a set time, generally between 5 and 10 minutes. With wet/bleeding cupping, the practitioner draws a small incision before intentionally removing stagnant blood from the incision by suctioning the cup.
Running cupping generally impacts the application of oil before the use of suction. Then, the cups are gradually moved around the area, making a massage-like effect. Depending on the type of service you’re getting, your session could last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour or more.
About flash cupping, the cups are fastly suctioned and removed, usually in the exact generalized body area. Typically, this process takes around 5 to 10 minutes.
What conditions can cupping treat?
Cupping has been used to treat a broad variety of conditions. It may ease conditions that develop muscle aches and pains. Since the cups can also be applied to main acupressure points, the practice helps treat digestive issues, skin issues, and other conditions typically treated with acupressure.
Cupping therapy may assist with the following needs, among others:
- lower back pain
- neck and shoulder pain
- headache and migraine
- knee pain
- shingles
- facial paralysis
- cough and dyspnea
- acne
- lumbar disc herniation
- cervical spondylosis
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- hypertension
- diabetes mellitus
- rheumatoid arthritis
- Asthma
More investigations are required to assess the actual effectiveness of cupping for these situations.
Side effects
There aren’t many side effects linked with cupping. The side effects you may encounter typically occur during your treatment or directly after, such as:
- circular marks where the cups have been
- discoloration
- Dizziness
You may feel lightheaded or dizzy during your treatment. Infrequently, you may also undergo sweating or nausea. After treatment, the skin around the cup’s rim may become rubbed and marked circularly. You may also experience pain at incision sites after your session.
Further risks include:
- scarring of the skin
- hematoma (bruising)
Does cupping remove toxins?
According to the study, cupping may release toxins by stimulating the immune reaction locally and systemically. It may also stop uric acid, a natural waste product, from digesting certain foods. Uric acid buildup can cause high acidity levels in the blood and urine. Cupping may also affect the lymphatic system, partially responsible for eliminating your body’s waste.
When the flow of lymph is interrupted, it can cause fluid buildup and stop the body from sufficiently eliminating toxins. Lymphatic drainage massage is one answer to this issue. Also, cupping may help improve lymph flow and prevent fluid buildup. The evidence for cupping’s ability to release toxins is promising, but more research is required to confirm it.
All in all
Cupping therapy remains a subject of ongoing interest and debate within the realm of alternative medicine. While its historical roots date back centuries, and many proponents advocate for its potential benefits in alleviating pain, promoting relaxation, and enhancing blood flow, scientific evidence supporting its efficacy still needs to be improved and often inconclusive. The practice’s popularity continues to grow, yet more rigorous research and clinical trials are required to validate its claimed therapeutic effects and better understand its mechanisms.
As with any alternative treatment, consulting a healthcare professional for guidance and considering individual circumstances and preferences are crucial in making informed decisions about incorporating cupping therapy into one’s wellness routine.
Tags: cupping for treating pain michigan, cupping therapy for pain relief michigan, cupping therapy for pain relief, cupping therapy for pain
