What Is Cupping Therapy? Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and many more!

Introduction to cupping

Cupping is an alternative therapy and the origin can be traced to China. In cupping, suction is created by placing the cups on the skin. The suction effects enhance healing with blood flow.

Cupping is believed to enhance the bodily flow of “qi.” The word Qi means life force. It is a Chinese word. Cupping was first practiced by Ge Hong (AD 281-341), a Taoist alchemist and herbalist.

Proponents of cupping believe that the therapy creates a balance between the negative and the positive. Striking a balance between the two extremes is believed to boost the resistance of the body to pathogens. It also increases the flow of blood and reduces pain.

Blood flows freely to the areas where the cups are placed. This relieves tension in the muscles which in turn improves the general circulation of blood and enhances the repair of cells. It also promotes the formation of new connective and vascular tissues.

Types of cupping

Cupping was originally done with animal horns. As time went on, the cups were then fashioned out from bamboo, and then ceramic. The heat was primarily used to create the suction. The cups were first heated with fire. After heating, it was applied to the skin. As the temperature went down, the cups drew the skin within.

The present-day cupping is done with the use of glass cups. The cups have an open end and are round like balls.

Two types of cupping exist today. We have the:

Dry cupping which only involves suction
Wet cupping involving both suction and a well-regulated medicinal bleeding

The method used depends on the medical condition, patient preferences, and the practitioner.

How cupping therapy treatment is done

The procedure for a cupping therapy treatment is a simple one. The cup is first placed on the skin; thereafter, it is heated. Heat is applied with fire through the use of paper, herbs, and alcohol. These substances are placed directly in the cup. Then the heat source is eliminated and the cup is placed with the heated side right on the skin.

Some practitioners now create suction through the use of rubber pumps. Perhaps some prefer this method to the conventional heating methods.

After the cup is placed on the skin, the temperature of the air within the cup falls, creating a vacuum that draws the muscle and the skin upward. The color of the skin changes to a characteristic red due to the pressure on the blood vessels.

In dry cupping, the cup is positioned for a specific period of time, in many cases between 5 and 10 mins. On the other hand, the cups used for wet cupping are positioned for just a few minutes. Thereafter, the cup is removed by the practitioner, and a very little incision made to draw blood.

After removing the cups, the cupped areas are covered with bandages and ointments. This is done to prevent infection. If any mark is formed, or maybe a mild bruise occurs, it will disappear within a week or two.

In some cases, cupping may be done alongside acupuncture. To get the best results, you could eat very little at night or at most, 3 hours before the procedure is carried out.

The conditions treated by cupping

Cupping can treat many ailments. It finds great application in easing muscle pain and ache related conditions. Cupping also helps in boosting digestive health, and skin care, treatment of cellulite, migraine, stress & depression, and fibromyalgia.

A study review conducted in 2012 shows that cupping therapy has a healing effect that is beyond an ordinary placebo effect. The study revealed that cupping therapy could help with the following conditions:

Facial paralysis
Dyspnea and cough
Cervical spondylosis
Cough and dyspnea
Acne
Disc herniation
Cervical spondylosis.

Preparing for cupping therapy treatment

Cupping has been in practice for a long time and can help relieve the symptoms of health conditions.

If cupping is your preferred alternative treatment, then it may complement your doctor visits. Under no circumstance should cupping, or any other alternative treatment substitute your doctor visits.

The following factors should be taken into consideration before you embark on a cupping therapy:

Does the practitioner treat all conditions, or does he specialize in just a few?
What’s the cupping method in use?
What is the hygienic condition of this facility? How about safety measures? Are they implemented?
How qualified is the practitioner? ● Do I have any health condition that may require cupping?

Before you embark on any form of alternative treatment or therapy, be sure to discuss you’re your doctor so that it could be incorporated into your plan of treatment.

Cupping at Bellabaci

At Bellabaci, you are sure of a unique cupping massage system. Our technique will leave you toasty warm for over five hours after you are done with the treatment.

You can have a quick DIY session with us our body and/or face cups. A qualified therapist can equally perform the Bellabaci signature massage that relaxes your body, mind, and soul.

We also have the Bellabaci cups produced from high soft-grade silicone and just needs to be squeezed to gain negative pressure. Our system was created to minimize the signs of aging, reduce the appearance of cellulite, comfort tired muscles and offer a respite to the day’s stresses.