CUPPING
Cupping is a tool of Chinese medicine where the practitioner applies a cup shaped device to the skin through suction techniques. These cups may be left on a single spot for a short period of time, quickly removed and applied again several times over, or moved around an area of the body.
There are various sizes of cups made of various materials in Chinese medicine. sizes vary from extra small cups capable of suctioning to small areas such as the face, to extra large cups which are usually applied to vast areas such as the back. The material used can be glass, plastic, silicon or bamboo. Suction for glass cups are made through flame applied to the inside of the cup then removed just before the cup is applied to the area of the body. This consumes the oxygen and creates a negative pressure when applied to the skin. Silicon cups are often self suctioning by squeezing then applying to the area. Plastic cups often come with an attachment that sucks the air out of the cup once applied and bamboo cups are left to sit in hot water for a specific amount of time before being applied where the heat creates the suction.
Cupping can treat an array of issues depending on cause. Cupping treats fascial restrictions, muscle tension, circulation issues; it breaks up congestion such as chest congestion and edema; it can calm the mind, reduce blood pressure and detox through many of the listed effects.
While cupping has many beneficial actions, there are instances where cupping is not recommended, such as with open lesions or burns, in areas of severe swelling as well as other specific conditions. Cupping does have a tendency to leave cupping marks that may last up to 2-3weeks before completely resolving. For this reason, as well, cupping may not be for everyone.
There are various sizes of cups made of various materials in Chinese medicine. sizes vary from extra small cups capable of suctioning to small areas such as the face, to extra large cups which are usually applied to vast areas such as the back. The material used can be glass, plastic, silicon or bamboo. Suction for glass cups are made through flame applied to the inside of the cup then removed just before the cup is applied to the area of the body. This consumes the oxygen and creates a negative pressure when applied to the skin. Silicon cups are often self suctioning by squeezing then applying to the area. Plastic cups often come with an attachment that sucks the air out of the cup once applied and bamboo cups are left to sit in hot water for a specific amount of time before being applied where the heat creates the suction.
Cupping can treat an array of issues depending on cause. Cupping treats fascial restrictions, muscle tension, circulation issues; it breaks up congestion such as chest congestion and edema; it can calm the mind, reduce blood pressure and detox through many of the listed effects.
While cupping has many beneficial actions, there are instances where cupping is not recommended, such as with open lesions or burns, in areas of severe swelling as well as other specific conditions. Cupping does have a tendency to leave cupping marks that may last up to 2-3weeks before completely resolving. For this reason, as well, cupping may not be for everyone.
