What Is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is an ancient healing practice that originated in China. Also known as Hijama cupping or vacuum cupping, cupping massage therapy has been practiced across different Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American cultures across the world. Proponents of the method believe that cupping stimulates the flow of “Qi” or life force in the body. They also claim that it restores the body’s balance between the positive (yin) and negative (yang), allowing the body to fight pathogens and reduce pain. In the next section, we explore the different types of cupping therapy practiced currently.
Types Of Cupping Therapy
Originally, suction cup therapy was performed using animal horns. As time went by, cupping techniques adopted the region’s local materials such as bamboo, ceramic, silicone, metal, and plastic. Modern cupping therapy uses round glass cups with one open end to perform the treatment. These are the two types of cupping therapy performed widely today.
Dry Cupping
In this method, the medical practitioner heats the cups with fire and places them over several areas on the skin to create a vacuum. This suction lifts the skin and stretches the muscles upward, increasing blood flow and reducing muscle tension and pain.
Wet Cupping
This technique involves using a scalpel or lancet to make light incisions on multiple areas of the skin, allowing a small amount of blood to be drawn into the cups during the suction process. Practitioners believe this method expels toxins and harmful substances from the body to promote overall healing. How is cupping therapy done? Let us take a closer look at it In the next section.
How To Do Cupping Therapy
The number of sessions in cupping therapy is determined by the cupping therapist based on your physical health. If you have a history of medical conditions, let your therapist know before you opt for the treatment. Each session takes about 20 minutes and is conducted in the following order (1). Cup therapy comes with a host of potential benefits. Let’s delve deeper into what they are.
6 Potential Health Benefits Of Cupping Therapy
Modern research suggests that cupping therapy may be effective in treating the following medical conditions.
- Pain-related Conditions – Cupping has been used as a treatment for relieving pain for years. A 2011 review suggests that dry cupping therapy may be effective in reducing lower back pain in comparison to conventional drug treatment (2). Other studies also indicate that cupping therapy may reduce neck pain, chronic back pain, migraines, and improve the overall quality of life (3), (4), (5).
- Skin Diseases – A 2012 review suggested that cup therapy may be essential in treating skin conditions such as acne, skin itch, hives, and herpes zoster (6), (7).
- Fibromyalgia – Cupping therapy may be effective in managing fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. A study was conducted to see the effect of cupping therapy on symptoms and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. After administering cupping seasons for 18 days, the patients reported a significant decrease in pain and an improvement in their quality of life (8).
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – A 2019 study aimed to examine the effect of cup therapy on patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, a nerve condition that causes pain and tingling in the arm. The study indicated that cupping therapy was effective in reducing the severity of the symptoms in conjunction with physical therapy (9).
- Arthritis – While cupping has been used to treat many pain-related conditions, it comes as no surprise that it may be essential in the treatment of arthritis. Studies indicate that cupping therapy may decrease inflammation and knee pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (10), (11).
- Hypertension – Cupping therapy may help manage high blood pressure. Studies suggest that wet cupping may be successful in reducing blood pressure levels in patients with hypertension (12). While current studies suggest that cupping therapy is beneficial, more studies are required to confirm and further understand its effect on different medical conditions. Does cupping therapy have any adverse effects on your health? Let’s find out in the next section.
Possible Side Effects
While cup suction is considered mostly safe under the care of a trained medical professional, the following side effects have been reported during or after the session (13).
Bruises Scar formations Nausea Soreness at cupping site Burn Anemia Dizziness Possible infection at the sites of incisions
People with the following conditions should exercise caution or speak to a medical professional before opting for this treatment (13).
Psoriasis Bone fractures Deep vein thrombosis Pregnancy Menstruation Chronic heart disease Ulcer History of stroke Hemophilia Asthma Cancer Asthma Suspicious lump
Due to limited scientific research, it is difficult to know how common these side effects are. If you do experience these side effects, consult a doctor immediately.
To Sum It Up
Why is cupping therapy painful? Cupping is not a painful procedure. You may experience a little tightness of the skin due to the suction of the cup. However, the therapist will make sure you are comfortable and not in any pain. Does cupping release knots? Yes, cupping helps release knots. It is an effective technique for relieving muscle tension, reducing swelling, and easing scar tissues. What to expect after cupping? You may experience some side effects, like tiredness, after cupping. You may also notice round bruise-like marks on the skin. These will fade away in a week or two.
