Cupping

Cupping

What is cupping?

Cupping is a form of alternative medicine practiced for thousands of years in China.

Cupping involves placing cups on the patient's skin corresponding to acupuncture points. The mugs are made of glass, bamboo, or ceramic.

The desired effect is to redden the local skin or achieve blood stasis at the treatment site. It is believed in traditional Chinese medicine that this can potentially help with certain conditions and diseases.

There are a few different cupping techniques. The main type is called retained cupping, in which there is negative pressure in the cup. This is usually done by igniting an alcohol-soaked cotton swab inside the cup, creating a vacuum. The burning swab is removed and the hot cup is placed on the skin, causing the skin to bulge.

Other cupping techniques include:

· Wet cupping (cupping). This involves creating a small cut in the skin, before making sure the cup has a suction effect when applied to the area.

· suction devices

· moving suction cups

· medicinal cupping

· Water suckers.

What are suction cups used for?

Cupping is used to treat several conditions, including headaches, chronic pain (for example, back pain), shingles, cough, common cold, asthma, hives, and menstrual irregularity. However, there is no clinical evidence to show that cupping is effective for these conditions.

What is the effect of cupping on treated skin?

Cupping produces circular red marks ( erythema ), bruising ( ecchymoses, petechiae, and linear purpuric streaks), and abrasions.

A case of panniculitis has also been reported as an adverse effect.

Cupping on the skin: What is cupping and what is it for?

Cupping on the skin causes several interesting physiological effects. Cupping is an ancient oriental therapy that can benefit muscles, connective tissues, and skin.

Cupping therapy manages to improve blood flow, regenerate tissues, undo internal adhesions and facilitate the circulation of vital energy in the area where it is applied. It has been part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

Traditional suction cups are small glass bells whose interior space is heated just before being placed on the skin so that when the air cools, a powerful suction effect is produced. It is not strange that the application causes a bruise that some famous athletes proudly display on their social networks.

Currently, there are plastic and silicone suction cups that cause the suction effect by pumping.

Cupping can be left in place for a short time or longer, or slowly glided over the skin (oil must be applied first), producing a massage-like effect. The areas where they are most frequently placed are the back, chest, abdomen, buttocks, and legs.

CUPPING: AN ANCIENT HEALING TECHNIQUE REVISED

Chinese medicine says that cupping undoes blockages in the flow of vital energy through the body. A Chinese therapist, therefore, applies them taking into account the route of the meridians or channels through which this energy circulates and that are found under the skin, similarly to what an acupuncturist does.

For its part, Western science observes that suction cups cause blood flow and separate internal connective tissues (fascias), which can favor recovery from certain ailments.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FASCIA IN THE BODY

Fascias are elastic connective tissue structures that surround and connect every muscle, bone, organ, and nerve in the body without exception. They also participate in the transport of lymphatic fluid, which "cleanses" the body.

Due to injuries, bad habits, or tension, the fascias can stick, or adhere, to the structures with which they are in contact. The result is often tightness and pain, which can reduce mobility.

HOW DOES CUPPING HELP? EFFECTS AND BENEFITS

· Cupping stimulates blood circulation and thus increases metabolic activity. This chain of reactions leads to better nutrition of the muscles, which allows increased performance. Applied after sport, cupping can contribute to faster regeneration. The effect of the massage relaxes the muscles and provides them with micronutrients.

· Cupping also improves metabolic waste removal and can be useful for treating cellulite and improving the appearance of the skin.

· They can also provide effective relief from menstrual cramps and digestive problems.

· It is also often used to treat back pain caused by muscle strain.

So far, the medical effect of cupping has not been scientifically proven, but there are a variety of other ailments that alternative medical procedures can help alleviate. Therapists like to use cupping for the following conditions:

· Migraine

· kidney diseases

· Lumbago

· colds or flu

· allergies

· Hypertension

· Carpal tunnel syndrome

· knee osteoarthritis

· herniated disc

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF CUPPING

In general, there are no significant side effects with cupping, as long as they are applied correctly. However, bruising may occur in the treated regions due to suction. The severity of the bruises depends on the nature of your tissue, the technique used, and also how long the cups remain on the skin.

The suction pressure of silicone cupping is also not as strong as traditional cupping and bruising are much less likely.

WHO ARE SUCTION CUPS SUITABLE FOR?

In a way, cupping is for everyone. However, in the case of certain acute or chronic diseases, it is absolutely necessary to consult the doctor before using them. Therefore, one must be careful with all acute or unclear diseases.

The same applies to skin diseases that react to stimuli. These include hives and psoriasis. If you suffer from the following ailments or diseases, you should consult a doctor before cupping:

· Open wounds and inflammation

· varicose veins

· diabetic ulcers

· tumors

· Sudeck's disease

· Anticoagulant drug therapy

CUPPING DURING PREGNANCY

In principle, cupping can be applied during pregnancy and is definitely recommended for the resulting stress states. However, they should be limited to the muscles and not performed before the 17th week of pregnancy. The abdomen and lower back must be left out.

Also, the procedure should only be performed by therapists who have experience treating pregnant women. As with all other manual or pharmacological therapies during pregnancy, it is important to consult your doctor first.

FOR WHICH REGIONS OF THE BODY ARE SUCTION CUPS SUITABLE?

With a few exceptions, there is almost no part of the body that is not suitable for cupping. Due to the material used, the cups are very adaptable and can be placed both on the face and on bony areas such as the knees or shins.

Cupping can be especially effective in areas of the body with poor blood circulation, such as the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, or the lower back. Here excellent results can be achieved with tension and acute pain conditions.

Under no circumstances should cups be used on body areas such as the eyelids, lips, nipples, the oral cavity, the genitals, and in the anal area.