INTRO TO: Cupping
Cupping is an ancient art that has been practiced for thousands of years. It’s been a favorite practice of the ancient Egyptians and Olympian Michael Phelps alike, and countless people around the world have embraced its pain-relieving capabilities. But what is cupping, and how exactly does it work? Read on to learn about cupping and why it just might be the right wellness practice for you.
What Is Cupping?
Cupping is a technique by which a small glass cup is heated or manually pumped and then placed directly on the skin, typically on a patient’s back. While the cups are left there for a few minutes, the suction draws skin into the cup; this is believed to increase circulation, which can enhance healing and allow for pain relief. It is also believed to improve the flow of life force energy (qi, pronounced chee) in the body, which tends to improve health and well-being.
Cupping can be either wet or dry, with the main difference being that wet cupping involves piercing the skin to draw out small amounts of blood (which ostensibly removes toxins from the body), whereas dry cupping does not. Whether wet or dry, cupping is notorious for producing large, circular bruises. These are caused by the expansion of the blood vessels in the skin trapped in the cups, and tend to fade within a few days or weeks of a cupping session.
How And Where Is Cupping Taught?
Cupping providers are typically trained and licensed as massage therapists, and many will have additional certifications to qualify them for cupping. In particular, because wet cupping involves using a scalpel to make light cuts out of which is suctioned a small amount of blood, infection is a risk in wet cupping. Therefore, anyone interested in wet or dry cupping should find a provider with proper certifications and licensing.
What Are The Benefits Of Cupping?
In general, cupping is believed to improve blood flow and boost immunity. Multiple studies have been performed to better understand cupping and its benefits, which have been shown to include reducing inflammation, improving cellular immunity, and boosting pain thresholds. Although the mechanisms by which cupping works are not yet fully understood, scientists have hypothesized that cupping may activate a specific gene that helps prevent vascular inflammation.
It also remains unclear whether wet cupping is effective at removing toxins from the body. Some researchers have suggested that cupping can help remove uric acid from the blood, thus decreasing the acidity of the remaining blood. Additionally, wet cupping may help reduce the buildup of fluids in the lymphatic system, which helps the body better process and remove toxins on its own. In general, more studies are needed to determine why cupping has been known to have the positive effects that have made it popular for so long.
How Has Cupping Evolved Over Time?
Once an ancient tradition, cupping has evolved in recent years to include a wide variety of techniques and additions. Some cupping practices now include the use of magnets, electrical stimulation, acupuncture needles, or even lasers to provide targeted pain relief. If you’re interested in learning about the many different kinds of cupping, talk to your cupping practitioner about which subset of cupping may be right for you.
What Does A Cupping Session Involve?
When you enter a cupping session, your provider will first talk to you about your goals for the session. Some common reasons why people may seek out cupping include back, neck, or knee pain, arthritis, migraines, or high blood pressure. Based on your specific ailment(s), your provider will determine how many cups to place on your body and where they should go.
Once it’s time for the session to begin, your provider will gather their cups, which are typically made out of plastic or glass. In a dry cupping session, a practitioner will heat the inside of a cup before placing it on the skin and allowing the negative pressure inside the cup to create suction, which pulls the skin into the cup. During a wet cupping session, your practitioner will pierce your skin before cupping, which will allow a small amount of blood and toxins to be drawn out during the cupping process.
Regardless of which type of cupping you experience, your provider will leave the cups on for a few minutes, and some may move them around to massage a specific area. When you’re all done, you’ll be left with some bruising that may persist for a few days or weeks.
What Are Some Drawbacks To Cupping?
There are several drawbacks to cupping that patients should be aware of before engaging in cupping. For example, cupping may cause burns, scars, or permanent skin discoloration, and people with eczema or psoriasis may find their conditions worsened. Additionally, because wet cupping involves removing a small amount of blood, there is a risk of infection or contracting a bloodborne disease. People with blood clotting or bleeding disorders may also be at risk of adverse effects when it comes to wet or dry cupping.
Ensure that your cupping practitioner is licensed and certified to reduce your risk of contracting illness or infection from wet or dry cupping. Additionally, as are many holistic treatments, cupping is a complementary treatment, which means that it should always be used alongside - and never in place of - medical treatment.
How Do I Learn More About Cupping?
Cupping has been a popular holistic treatment for thousands of years, and its users speak highly of its many positive effects. If you’re looking for a way to boost your circulation and potentially even improve your well-being, cupping may be a rewarding treatment for you. Although scientific studies remain unclear when it comes to the efficacy of wet and dry cupping, in general, cupping is a generally low-risk way to potentially enjoy a wide variety of health benefits.
If you’re interested in making cupping a part of your wellness journey, feel free to start a conversation with your local wellness practitioners or reach out to a member of the Elated today to learn more.