Suction
Cupping Explained
Suction Cupping involves
creating a vacuum
over various parts
of the body for therapeutic
effects. The original
classic method of
cupping involved briefly
heating the air in
an inverted cup, which
then produces a vacuum
when the air cools
after the cup is applied
to the skin. suction
cupping as pain relief
treatment - alternative
method
The resultant
low pressure under
the cup causes
a localized expansion
of tissue.
Suction Cupping
is used therapeutically
to draw blood
flow to areas
of pain, thus
flushing capillary
beds and re-supplying
vital nutrients.
Suction also mobilizes
and stretches
soft tissue thus
loosening areas
of restriction.
Suction cups are
usually placed
over disease/injury
sites for 5 –
10 minutes.
Applying an oil
based lubricant
to the skin just
prior to cup application
facilitates a
tight seal, and
allows for sliding
cups around in
the treatment
area. Cups of
all sizes are
used to treat
a wide range of
disorders. For
example, small
cups may be applied
to the face to
treat facial paralysis,
whereas larger
cups placed in
the lumbar region
can be used to
treat lumbago.
Dry Cupping and
Wet Cupping
There are two
main types of
cupping: dry cupping
and wet cupping.
Dry cupping involves
stimulation of
the skin by suction.
Wet cupping includes
blood-letting,
achieved by puncturing
the skin with
tiny needles before
the cups are applied.
Wet cupping has
a stronger stimulatory
action on the
skin, muscles
and corresponding
organs. dry and
wet cupping method
- 2 different
alternative treatment
This type of cupping
is usually used
for areas of congestion
to reduce inflammation,
pain, and cramping.
Wet cupping is
helpful for patients
with a tendency
for high blood
pressure and weight
gain. Patients
suffering from
anemia would benefit
more with dry
cupping.
How does Suction
Cupping work?
Suction cupping
should always
be performed by
a qualified health
care professional.
Cupping is almost
solely practiced
on the back, often
on either side
of the spine,
though cups can
be used on the
abdomen and upper
arms and legs.
Cups are available
with elastic knobs
that provide a
sucking action
when pumped. When
placed on the
skin, the cups
can be pumped
until the skin
has reached the
desired height
inside the glass.
A more traditional
method uses plain
glass cups where
a small flame
creates a vacuum
inside the glass
which sucks the
skin into the
glass. Both of
these techniques
are very popular
today.
In either method,
several cups are
applied one after
another and then
left on the skin
for ten to thirty
minutes. This
stimulation increases
circulation and
in response, the
skin discolors
and bruising occurs.
This bruising
doesn’t
last long unless
the person bruises
easily. Cupping
may feel uncomfortable
but it is not
painful.
A cupping-massage
technique can
be achieved using
a suction cup
with the pump
and gliding it
slowly along the
skin. Before the
massage, a massage
oil is applied
to ease the gliding
of the cup along
the skin. Cupping-massage
is useful for
relief of muscle
spasms and pain.
This type of technique
is more painful
so the massage
should only take
three or four
minutes after
which the patient
should rest for
fifteen minutes.
Again, temporary
skin discoloration
and bruising typically
occurs where the
massage took place.
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