What Is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping is an alternative therapy that involves suctioning the skin with glass, plastic, or silicone cups. It may help improve blood flow, boost immune function, remove toxins, and reduce pain.
Cupping is a type of alternative therapy that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. This suction results in a local expansion of blood vessels, leading to increased blood flow in the area.
Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This will relieve muscle tension, which improves overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It has also been show to assist in the formation of new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue.
What should I expect during a cupping treatment?
During a cupping treatment, you can expect the following:
- After your initial visit, if your doctor feels that you will benefit from this modality,
they may recommend cupping. - The practitioner will place cups on your skin.
- You’ll feel a sucking sensation and pressure as the cups are suctioned.
- The practitioner will use suction alone to place the cups.
- Depending on the type of cupping, the practitioner may leave you to rest for a
few minutes before they return to remove the cups. - Your skin may turn red and show light bruising after your session.
Where will my practitioner place the cups?
Cups are most often applied to the:
~ back
~ shoulders
~ legs
How does the suction part work?
CSI’s cupping practitioners use rubber pumps to create suction versus more traditional
heat methods.
How long will my session last?
With dry cupping, the cup is kept in place for a set time, usually between 5 and 10
minutes.
How long will it take for cupping marks to disappear?
Any discoloration or marks from cupping usually go away within 7 days of the session.
What conditions can cupping treat?
Cupping has been used to treat a wide variety of conditions. It may be particularly
effective at easing conditions that create muscle and joint aches and pains.
Since the cups can also be applied to major acupressure points, the practice is possibly
effective at treating digestive issues, skin issues, and other conditions commonly
treated with acupressure.
Cupping therapy may help with the following conditions, among others:
~ lower back pain
~ neck and shoulder pain
~ headache and migraine
~ Upper extremity pain such as shoulder, elbow, forearm
~ Lower extremity pain such as hip, knee, quad/hamstring, calf and ankle/foot
~ lumbar disc herniation
~ cervical spondylosis
~ brachialgia, the pain produced by a trapped nerve in the neck
~ carpal tunnel syndrome
~ hypertension
~ Anxiety and stress
