Cupping Therapy has gained great popularity of recent which could lead some to believe it is a new fad, but this treatment is indeed an ancient form of treatment dating back that we know of to 3000 years ago. Cups are placed on your skin, suction is created and the skin and tissue suctions up into the cup. Well, that's about as basic as it gets. From there it gets a little more complicated. Cupping Therapy itself is a simple process, but with different medical modality professionals using cupping for therapeutic treatments, as you can imagine, the cups are used in many different manners. Also, Cups are used by consumers with basic treatments. Let's Dive in to understand a little better
People receive cupping treatments for various reasons including:
- Muscle Pain
- Inflammation
- Circulation
- Remove Toxins
- Blood Pressure
- Energy Imbalances
- Relaxation
- Rehabilitation
- Sports Recovery
- Surgery and Injury Recovery
- Massage
- Lymphatic Drainage
- Body Contouring - Cellulite - Face Lifting
- Digestion and Abdominal Issues
- And More
Today, the quality of cups has greatly improved , but you still may see cupping being performed using the following type cups:
Older Style of Cups
- Animal Horns with Fire
- Bamboo Cups with Fire
- Glass Cups with Fire
Newer Style of Cups
- Plastic Cups with Pump Gun
- Polycarbonate Cups with Pump Guns
- Glass Cups with Squeeze Bulbs
- Glass Cups with Pump Gun
- Silicone Cups
Cupping Dates back to 1500BC as described in one of the oldest Medical Textbooks in the World, The Egyptian Ebers Papyrus. After this, there are writings from the Egyptians, Greece, Chinese, Middle Easterners, Europeans and now very popular in the US and around the world.
Types of Cupping Methods
- Dry Cupping - Used by Most Modern Day Practitioners and Self Care
- Wet Cupping - Used mostly by Middle Eastern Practitioners
In both Dry and Wet Cupping using Animal Horns, Bamboo or Certain Glass Cups, therapist will quickly insert and remove a lighted flammable material inside the cup to remove oxygen so suction can be created. Once removed, the cup is quickly placed on the skin where skin and tissue are sucked up into the cup.
With modern Plastic and Glass Cups with Pump Gun Sets, the Pump Gun is attached to the cup and the pump gun can be squeezed to create suction in the cup eliminated the risk of fire. Silicone Cups can be squeezed to create suction. The have less risk and extremely popular cupping devices now. The cups can be left on place for a few minutes, or with lighter suction the cups can be moved or massaged around on the skin with lubrication. This is an example of Dry Cupping and is the most popular method upon several modalities and several countries.
Wet Cupping is slightly in different as a scalpel is used to create a cut in the skin prior to the cup suction placement. This cut allows blood and fluids to leave the body and enter the cup. This is mostly practiced by Middle Eastern Practitioners.
Depending on the cupping treatment being performed, there may be 1 cup, 3-5 cups and some treatments are performed using 20 or more cups. The cupping method used varies among the different Cupping Modalities.
What Does Research Say?
Majority of Cupping Studies are from Chinese Sources and are more geared towards Traditional Chinese Cupping Methods however due to the increase in popularity in the western world, new studies are beginning to turn up based on more modern cupping treatments. Here's some research we found.
Research shows Cupping Treatments show benefits for:
- Herpes Zoster
- Acne / Eczema
- Facial Paralysis
- Cervical Spondylitis
- Blood Disorders- Anemia- Hemophilia
- Arthritis and Fibromyalgia
- Fertility and Gynecological Issues
- High Blood Pressure
- Migraines
- Anxiety/ Depression
- Bronchial Congestion
- Varicose Veins
- Back Pain
- Muscle Pain
- Circulation
Side Effect of Cupping Therapy
- Mild Discomfort/ Pinching/Stinging
- Blisters of Burns if Performed Incorrectly
- Cupping Marks/ Bruises
- Skin Infection possible with Wet Cupping
If cups are not properly disinfected in between sessions, blood-borne illnesses, infections, virus's and diseases can be spread.
Basic Cupping Therapy Treatments
In addition to some of the advanced cupping treatments listed above, there are basic cupping therapy treatments which one can perform on themselves. A few of these basic treatments can include Cupping for Cellulite Reduction on Thighs, Hips, Arms and Stomach. Cupping for Anti-Aging Face Lifting and Plumping which is also sometimes referred to as a "Non Surgical Face Lift". Cupping for Muscle and Fascial Generalized or Specific Pain for common areas of pain like the neck and shoulders and low back. Cupping for Joint Pain and Inflammation.
Check out Cupping Warehouse Cupping Cups for Professionals and Beginner/Self Care Users. The Founder discovered cupping after a life threatening virus requiring life support left her physically and mentally challenged. Cupping was the game changer for her recovery and she set out on a mission to share cupping, cupping products and cupping education with as many people as possible hoping that if anyone else ended up needed it as she had, that someone would know about cupping and share with them.