Cup therapy is an effective traditional healing method used to ease pain in the back, neck, arm, stomach or legs. Cupping therapy is an alternative medicine where your skin is suctioned with a silicone cup to improve the flow of blood.
Suction cup therapy originated from China, West Asia, and Egypt. Egyptians used cupping therapy to treat illnesses like menstrual problems, fever, and vertigo.
Traditionally, practitioners used hollowed animal horns in place of cups to treat boils and remove venom poison from snake bites.
Today, people prefer cupping therapy instead of taking medicines now and then. Cupping is a holistic treatment appreciated as a natural way that promotes healing.
What Is Cupping Therapy and How Does It Work?
Cupping is an alternative medicine where a therapist uses the technique of placing cups on the skin to create a suction. Creating the suction improves the flow of blood in the body to promote healing.
Cupping therapy is used in traditional Chinese medicine as the suction promotes the flow of Qi (energy) in the body.
In TCM, cups help balance yin and Yang. Balancing yin and yang helps your body fight pathogens, increase blood circulation and reduce pain.
How Does Cupping Therapy Work?
Cupping interacts with multiple systems to promote wellness. Below is how cupping works under different systems:
Microcirculation Activation.
Suction draws blood from deeper vessels to the surface, which promotes microcirculation in the area of treatment.
The blood circulation supplies oxygen and nutrients directly to the cells. This enhances natural repair and regeneration of damaged tissues.
Lymphatic Drainage.
Suction creates a vacuum that stimulates movements within the lymphatic system. This helps in removing toxins and cellular waste, therefore reducing localised swelling and improving your immunity.
Energy Flow Restoration.
In traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture releases stagnant Qi in the areas of pain and tension to restore harmony and better health.
Suction and Tissue Manipulation.
Suction lifts the skin and underlying tissues to create space between the layers of the skin, muscle and fascia. This process stretches and loosens tight connective tissues, promotes flexibility and reduces adhesions.
Therapists can adjust pressure to improve the circulation of fluids and support the relaxation of tissues.
Fascia Decompression.
Pulling the cup from the skin stretches and decompresses fascia, therefore restoring its normal functionality.
Fascia is a network of connective tissue surrounding muscles and organs. Fascia get stiff due to injury, poor posture or overuse. Cupping helps in loosening it for normal functionality.
Stimulation of the Nervous System.
Cupping therapy activates sensory nerves in the skin and underlying tissues. When nerve endings are stimulated, they send signals to the central nervous system, which alter pain and relaxation.
Microtrauma and Healing Response.
Suctioning the area of treatment causes microtrauma to the surrounding capillaries and tissues under the skin.
This leads to temporary marks and triggers an inflammatory response. Your body signals the immune system to focus on the area of treatment and repair the tissue.
Types of Cupping Therapy
Traditionally, cupping was done with animal horns. Today, therapists use cups made from plastic, silicone, glass, bamboo and ceramic.
Practitioners in ancient times heated cups with fire and then placed them on the skin. While cooling, a vacuum or a suction force is created. Pulling the cup pushes your skin upward. This process draws blood to or away from parts of your body.
Below are the types of cupping therapy:
Dry Cupping Therapy.
In the dry cupping method, a therapist places cups on your skin and compresses them with their hands. In this method, a therapist can use a pump or a flame to create a vacuum in a glass cup.
The cups are left for around 10 minutes, then removed. The dry cupping method can be done twice a week.
This method can be combined with a massage. The massage involves applying lotion on the affected skin, then moving silicone cups in circles, up and down or back and forth.
Dry cupping therapy helps to:
- increase blood circulation.
- Relax your muscles by reducing tension
- Remove toxins from the area being treated.
Wet Cupping Therapy.
In wet cupping therapy, the practitioner creates a small suction by leaving a cup on your skin for 3 minutes.
The cup is later removed, and the practitioner makes tiny cuts on your skin. A second suction is done to remove a small amount of blood.
Light cuts are made to attract inflammatory cells and trigger the release of natural pain relievers and mood enhancers. This procedure helps your body fight infections and maintain immunity.
After treatments, you are given an antibiotic ointment to apply to the skin to prevent infection. After 10 days, your skin should look normal again.
Running cupping therapy.
Running cupping therapy involves applying lotion to your skin area first, then placing cups. The therapist moves the cup in different directions gently on the areas of treatment.
Bleeding Cupping therapy.
Bleeding cupping therapy involves using a needle to lightly puncture your skin. The cups are later placed on the skin to sunction blood. Light puncture helps release toxins that come out through the suctioned blood.
Flash Cupping.
Flash cupping involves the fast movement of placing and removing a cup on your skin repeatedly. Flash cupping improves blood circulation rapidly and desensitises tight areas.
This therapy is best if you are sensitive to prolonged suction, your skin bruises easily, or you don’t want circular marks left on your body.
Fire Cupping.
Fire cupping is using flames to create a vacuum in glass cups. Fire cupping involves soaking a cotton ball in alcohol, igniting it and placing it in a glass cup to heat the air. Once the air is well heated, the flame is quickly removed, and the heat cup is placed on the skin to create a vacuum.
Suctioning in this therapy draws blood and energy to the surface of the skin to promote healing and relieve you from pain.
Fire cupping is recommended if you have muscle pain, tension, respiratory problems, or require relaxation.
What Do the Cupping Marks Mean?
After a successful cupping therapy session, circular marks form on the areas of treatment. These circular marks appear in different colours and are known as cupping marks.
Cupping marks are painless and indicate some issues about your body, such as less blood, Qi stagnation, accumulation of toxins and dampness.
Shade of red.
Red cupping marks indicate that the practitioner has successfully increased blood flow, thereby nourishing and supplying oxygen to the treated area.
Dark purple or blue shades
The dark purple, bluish discolouration indicates stagnation of tight muscles or poor circulation in that area. The darker the mark, the more stagnation was present. These marks usually fade within 5 to 10 days.
These colours show that the therapy has helped in improving the flow of blood and energy.
Brown colour.
Brown colour shows that stagnant blood and toxins have been brought to the surface to enhance healing.
Brown colour shows that old blood and toxins have been removed from the tissues. Old blood is mostly in areas where you have had injury in the past.
White or pale colour.
White or pale colour shows that the area of treatment didn’t have enough energy. Therapy helps in refreshing the areas by promoting health and restoring energy .
No Mark.
No mark shows that the cupped area is well circulated and free from stagnation.
Colour marks help the practitioner understand where your body needs more attention. When you continue receiving regular cupping therapies, marks may get lighter and less frequent, showing a smooth circulation of blood and healthy tissues.
The duration for which the cupping marks last depends on the intensity of the suction and the amount of stagnation in the area. Marks can last for a few weeks. If you do cupping often, you will find that the marks fade more quickly than in your previous time.
If you have specific medical conditions, open wounds or skin conditions, you need to consult your healthcare provider before a cupping session.
Health Benefits of Cupping Therapy
Including cupping therapy in your wellness routine comes with a couple of benefits. Below are the benefits of cupping therapy.
Muscle tension and chronic pain
Cupping therapy releases trapped tension between muscles. The practitioner creates a suction by placing the cup on your skin, which draws blood to the surface of your skin, therefore enhancing muscle flexibility and relaxation.
If your line of work involves the use of the same muscles every day, cupping therapy should be in your weekly routine. After cupping therapy, you get immediate relief and long-term muscle health.
Cupping on a weekly or monthly basis prevents the buildup of lactic acid and toxins that cause chronic pain. Cupping reduces the stiffness of muscles that cause pain and discomfort. Chronic pains such as migraine, neck pain and back pain can be relieved through the cupping method.
Fatigue and low immunity
Your body needs to defend itself against diseases and infections. Cupping therapy stimulates white blood cells that help fight infections and boost immunity.
In TCM, cupping therapy acts on an acupoint to remove stagnation and stimulate the flow of Qi. Exercise-induced muscle fatigue can be treated through cupping therapy since it alleviates muscle pain, improves local blood flow and reduces muscle stiffness.
Menstrual irregularities
Wet cupping therapy treats menstrual problems such as irregular cycles, period pain and heavy bleeding. It also helps in regulating your menstrual cycle, reducing cramping and alleviating menstruation symptoms.
Wet cupping uses the following mechanisms to treat irregular periods:
- Toxins and waste build up in the body, causing a hormonal imbalance. Cupping detoxifies to support your body’s natural processes and help regulate menstruation.
- Stress affects hormones and the menstrual cycle. Wet cupping relaxes your muscles, reduces stress levels that cause irregular menstruation.
- Wetting cupping improves blood circulation in the pelvic region. /The flow of blood in the reproductive system helps regulate hormonal balance, therefore, a regular menstrual cycle.
- Health conditions such as thyroid disorders and polycystic ovary syndrome may affect your menstrual cycle. Wet cupping complements conventional treatment used to treat this condition, therefore improving your menstrual cycle regularity.
Respiratory issues such as asthma or colds
Asthma and bronchial congestion can be treated using suction cup therapy. Cupping helps with the flow of blood and energy in the chest area, a process that clears lung congestion.
Suctioning helps relax your respiratory muscles and reduces symptoms such as tightness. Cupping makes it easier for you to breathe.
In TCM, cupping is used to enhance the lungs’ natural defence mechanism. When your lungs re strong enough, to get to have a respiratory system that functions properly.
When dealing with a cold, cupping improves the flow of blood and reduces mucus buildup in the nostrils. Chronic Asthma, Bronchitis and cold can be treated using cupping therapy.
Blood circulation.
The main role of cupping therapy is to stimulate the flow of blood, which helps in the supply of oxygen and nutrients in the areas of treatment. Cupping therapy supports your overall health and recovery processes.
Even if you are not unwell, you can include cupping therapy in your wellness routine to prevent future illnesses. Cupping is a holistic treatment that helps with muscle relaxation, pain management for chronic conditions and much more.
Digestive imbalance and bloating
In TCM, cupping helps with balancing internal energy, Qi, which helps with digestion. Suctioning removes stagnated blood and helps in releasing internal heat and improving Qi flow. Qi flow controls your overall health.
Cupping restores balance to the digestive system in different ways:
- Cupping relaxes muscles and alleviates spasms by relieving muscle tension in the abdomen. Muscle tension can lead to pain and discomfort if you have IBS.
- Cupping improves the circulation of blood in the abdominal area, which includes the intestines and surrounding organs. The flow of blood stimulates tissue nourishment and the healing process.
- Inflammation in the abdominal area can lead to digestive disorders. Cupping has inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation in the intestines.
- The digestive system comprises a network of complex nerves. Cupping calms the nervous system which causes symptoms such as pain and cramps.
Cupping stimulates the flow of energy to areas like the lower back and abdomen.
Cupping Therapy: More Than Skin Deep
Cupping therapy is a complementary therapy, your healthcare provider can recommend cupping alongside other treatments when battling some health conditions.
Cupping connects your body and mind. During therapy, your body becomes aware of where you feel pain and stress. This helps improve awareness and results in emotional resilience, healthy movements and posture.
After cupping, you may feel a sense of emotional lightness. Cupping supports emotional release by reducing tension in the body.
Dry and wet cupping help relieve your body from pain and inflammation, symptoms of some health conditions.
Wet cupping therapy is recommended for patients with health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, inflammatory conditions and autoimmune conditions. According to research, wet cupping and conventional treatment can effectively treat oral and genital ulceration.
Facial cupping helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin work together to maintain a healthy, strong and radiant skin. A facial cupping wellness routine will give you youthful skin, as it reduces fine lines, firms sagging skin, and improves your facial skin in general.
As an athlete, you need cupping therapy to speed up injury recovery and return to sport. Cupping clears build u of lactic acid, reduces muscle soreness and increases blood to help with the healing process.
Top athletes in the world prefer cupping therapy as an alternative treatment to address specific aches and pains in their bodies. If you have undergone surgery before due to a sports injury, cupping therapy helps your body heal faster since it reduces inflammation and improves the flow of blood.
Cupping also improves the range of motion for athletes. It relaxes muscles and connective tissues to reduce stiffness. When your muscles are relaxed, they become flexible enough to help you achieve greater mobility in activities that require agility and quick movements.
Cupping detoxifies your body by increasing lymphatic drainage. Removing toxins from your body improves complexion, enhances clear skin and reduces acne breakouts. Cupping therapy removes impurities from deep layers of your skin.
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for relaxing and reducing your body’s activities. The autonomic nervous system controls activities as sweating, urination, digestion, high blood pressure and heart rate.
Cupping therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promotes relaxation and reduces stress. This therapy also lowers cortisol levels, reduces anxiety and improves your emotional well-being.
Better sleep improves your productivity. Cupping relaxes your muscles and improves circulation, which promotes a deeper sleep.
Final Thoughts.
Cupping therapy should be your must-try alternative treatment due to its natural healing. When your muscles relax and energy flows normally, you are likely to boost your productivity at work, sports activity and improve your wellness.
Digestive imbalances, respiratory problems, chronic fatigue and low immunity should be combined with cupping therapy to promote healing.
Cupping therapy might be exactly what your body needs. Visit Hong Kong Sports Clinic to get a certified therapist who offers expert cupping sessions to improve blood circulation, speed up recovery, relax deep muscle tension and offer overall relaxation and wellness.
