Acu cupping is a therapeutic technique used either by itself or in conjunction with acupuncture, acupressure and Chinese herbal medicine to prevent and/ or treat diseases.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, Cupping therapy can open the ‘Meridians’ of the body and there are five meridians on the back that, when opened, allow free flow of energy to the whole body promoting healthy circulation and healing.
It is a method used to create a partial vacuum by the application of heat in glass cups that are then placed over the skin. The suction in the cups draws up the skin and the underlying tissue and by doing that it also pulls up the non-circulating stagnant blood and fluids bringing it to the surface which may have initially become stagnant due to physical trauma or from wear and tear or from even deeper issues in the body such as internal inflammation. After the cups are placed over the skin, in a few minutes, local congestion is formed and that’s how localized healing takes place.
This form of therapy is like a deep tissue massage and it has also been found to affect the body up to four inches into the tissues. The healing aspect of cupping is through the release of toxins in the tissues; it purifies the blood by cleansing the arteries, veins and capillaries and activates the lymphatic system and also helps rejuvenate certain meridians and organs that are not functioning at their best.
Cupping therapy has a wide range of heath benefits and the treatment plan for each person may vary depending on the person’s main symptoms and health issue being addressed.
The functions and indications of cupping include, but are not limited to:
- -Colds/flu
- -Cough, asthma, bronchitis
- -Digestive disorders – indigestion, abdominal pain, clears colon blockages
- -Arthritis
- -Back pain
- -Shoulder pain
- -Headaches
- -Menstrual cramps Infertility
- -Varicose veins
- -Stretch marks
- -Paralysis
In general this form of therapy improves the basic functions of the body which may have become sluggish over time due to various factors such as —– age, diet, smoking, exercise regimen and environmental toxins.
Even though cupping can help with multiple health disorders and improve the overall functions of the body by regulating the free flow of energy, blood and body fluids, keep in mind that cupping therapy is not recommended for everyone.
Cupping is contraindicated in people with
1) edema
2) skin ulcers
3) high fever or convulsions
4) abdominal, sacral and lumbar regions of pregnant women
5) people prone to spontaneous bleeding.
Always check with your health practitioner before proceeding with a cupping treatment.
As mentioned above, cupping is a form of a healthy detox and like any other kind of a detox treatment, consuming cleansing foods such as fruits and vegetables, which further help rid the body of wastes, and drinking plenty of water, to keep the body well hydrated is the key for optimum results since that helps the body flush out the toxins.
