Acupuncture cupping works by placing small cups, usually made

of glass, that have been heated, on various acupressure points

of the body. Normally, the acupuncturist or therapist will wave

a burning cotton ball soaked in alcohol inside the cup to quickly

to create a vacuum. The warm cups are placed in specific areas,

creating negative pressure, which is used to draw out toxins and

other fluids through the skin. Although the heat is not felt by the

person receiving the treatment, the cups cause a pulling sensation

as the skin is lifted. Cups are normally left on the skin for five to

fifteen minutes.

Why should I have a cupping treatment?

Cupping is used to improve circulation and stimulate the peripheral

nervous system. According to its Traditional Chinese origins, it acts

by drawing out the cold, wind and damp from the body, in order to

rebalance Yin Yang and Qi energy. Cupping treatments can be used

to draw out toxins and to treat back and muscle pain, hypertension,

pneumonia, arthritis, menstrual cramps and the common cold.

Cupping therapy works by lifting the body’s connective tissue,

loosening any adhesions and restoring blood flow to areas of the

body that have been restricted. It is an excellent treatment for

stress, fatigue, aches and pains and is often recommended for new

mums.

Cupping therapy is also gaining a lot of attention for its beneficial

effects in treating rheumatoid arthritis in a natural way. It helps

sufferers by reducing the pain and inflammation felt at the affected

joints

As a complementary method to deep tissue massage, cupping

can be used to treat very tight muscles, by enhancing the body’s

ability to drain toxins and inflammatory substances, stimulate the

nerves and allowing fresh blood flow to various muscles. Many

people who receive cupping treatments say that it feels like one

of the deepest massages they’ve had, but one that takes only 5-10

minutes.

Is Cupping Safe?

Cupping is a very safe treatment when performed by an

experienced and qualified acupuncturist or a cupping therapist. If

you are planning on having a cupping treatment, you should be

aware that it may leave areas of bruising, which are not dangerous,

but may take several days to disappear completely. The marks

do have a great benefit – they help the therapist in diagnosing

different conditions. The darker the mark that is left by a certain

cup, the more stagnation there is in the surrounding muscle areas.

For example, if you suffer from lower back pain, it’s likely that the

darkest spots will appear in that area, but as you receive successive

treatments, the marks will become lighter and lighter as the

underlying condition improves.