The Ancient Practice of
Cupping

Today, more and more people are realizing that the road to real relaxation and comfort in their own bodies might be a little different from what they expected, and this is where Eastern modalities including traditional Chinese medicines like cupping come into place.

Although the concept of cupping is quite straight-forward, it can easily be seen from the results that cupping offers a lot more than just what meets the eye.

Cupping has a long history that actually stretches around the world. Originally, the use of suction that was provided by the cups was used to remove the toxins from snakebites and infected wounds and it was done with hollow animal horns.

Later on, the horns were replaced with bamboo cups, and finally with the glass cups that are used to today. Cupping has been used to pull the blood from surgery areas, allowing a cleaner cut, and it has seen independent development in places as different as Eastern Europe, South America and Egypt.

Cupping essentially involves the use of cups made of glass, bamboo or plastic to create suction on the skin of the back. Typically, the pressure inside the cup is reduced, either by having the air pumped out, or through the application of heat, and because of this, the skin and the topmost layer of muscle will be drawn into the cup and held their briefly. This kind of suction may remain stationary, or, if the practitioner prefers, the cup might be moved or rotated in a technique that is called gliding cupping. This allows for a pull on the skin in a particular area.

Benefits

When you are thinking about cupping and what it can do for you, you'll find that it bears a strong resemblance to traditional forms of massage. For instance, the suction will create much the same effect as the quick pinching of skin that happens during the Chinese massage known as tui na.

When the skin is pinched along certain points, it is believed that the blood and the flow of energy under the skin is being relieved and freed from congestion. In terms of where the cups are applied, there is also a similarity to the art of acupuncture.

As mentioned above, one of the methods to create the suction that is necessary in cupping is pumping, though you will also find that heat is quite common. When the cups are heated, the hot air inside the cup will have a lower density than the air outside, and when the opening of the cup is sealed with the skin of the client, pressure will decline, pulling the skin up into the cup. This creates a very warm sensation that some might find uncomfortable, but those who are fans of the procedure state that it is not far removed from the practice of hot stone massage.

In fire cupping the glass cups are heated by filling them with flaming cotton balls that have been soaked in rubbing alcohol, the heat form the heated glass cups form a vacuum on your skin which is believed to stimulate circulation and relieve tension.

What to expect from cupping

Essentially, the traditional Chinese medicine of cupping is used in order to prevent and cure what is called stagnation or congestion that can occur throughout the body.
Cupping

The results of stagnation of the flow of energy in your body can exacerbate symptoms of illnesses like pneumonia, bronchitis and the common cold; it is known to have a healing effect on respiratory diseases.

You'll find that cupping is also quite efficient when used to treat pain that is centered on bones or muscles, with special emphasis on the neck, shoulder and back.

When you are considering the use of cupping be aware that this is a highly contact orientated activity, and that you will definitely feel it. While the first session might be a little bit rough, you'll find, as so many others have, that the results are worth it.

People often find that they leave a cupping session feeling a great deal more loosened and at ease, and that stresses and tension that bothered before are no longer as significant.
You should also know that the longer the cup stays on, especially when heat is used to create the suction, the more chance there is that a mark might be left. You'll also find that the use of heat can lead to a temporary feeling that is not unlike sunburn.

Many times, cupping is used in conjunction with other massages or therapies. Many people feel that it makes an excellent complement to therapies like deep tissue massage, reflexology and even chiropractic practice.

While you can always get kits to try cupping at home, you'll find that more and more spas, destination spas and resort spas and alternative health centers are offering this reinvigorating service.