CUPPING THERAPY-A RISING TREND IN USA: Cupping therapy has gained popularity in the USA in recent years. This alternative therapy involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, which is believed to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation, and general well-being. Many people use cupping therapy as a way to ease muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. While the practice has ancient roots, it has become more mainstream in the USA, with many wellness centers and spas offering cupping therapy as part of their services. If you’re interested in trying cupping therapy, it’s important to find a qualified and experienced practitioner to ensure a safe and effective experience. Cupping therapy is one of the most ancient medical treatment procedures in which local suction is created on skin, promoting healing and relaxation. Cupping therapy is also known as, Hijama, horn treatment, vacuum cupping therapy, etc.
OVERVIEW OF CUPPING THERAPY
- It is done by creating local suction on different parts of body, such as,
legs, back, stomach, arms, etc. - Cupping therapy is usually done to treat mild inflammation, infection,
high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, back pain, etc. - Different types of cups are used in cupping therapy such as, plastic,
glass, silicone, bamboo, etc. - It is believed that as the cups are placed on the body surface, local
suction is created, which eventually leads to skin being pulled in the
upward direction, resulting in drainage from lymphatic system and
toxin substance being released from the body. - As the cups are placed on body surface, tissue beneath is drawn up
leading to increase in blood flow, enhanced blood flow draws the
impurities from the blood and various body organs.
ANCIENT ROOTS OF CUPPINGTHERAPY
Cupping therapy has roots has roots that trace back thousands of years. The earliest recorded use is found in ancient Egyptian texts, including the Ebers Papyrus (circa 1550 BCE), which mentions cupping as a treatment for various ailments. Although cupping therapy is very trending in today’s era, it is one of the most ancient medical practices. It actually originated from ancient Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Chinese cultures. They used cupping therapy is treat almost all the illnesses.
1. Ebers Papyrus
from 1500 B.C., one the most oldest medical textbooks, elaborates how ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy
to treat pain, menstural abdominal cramps, fever, vertigo, etc.
2. Chinese medicine
Chinese cupping therapy can be traced from 28 C.E. It was considered as form of acupuncture in Chinese tradition. Well knownsurgeons in China, used cupping therapy during surgeries on the surgical sites to divert blood from the surgical sites.Ge Hong, very famous Chinese herbalist and alchemist of the Jin Dynasty is credited for popularizing cupping therapy in China. He believed that combination of acupuncture and cupping therapy, results in curing half of the illness.
3. Middle Eastern medicine
Whereas as cupping therapy is also known as Hijama in Arabic language. Prophet Muhammad stated about Hijama in his Islamic writings. Prohpet Muhammad also stated, that
one the best remedy you have is Hijamah.
4. Greek medicine
In ancient Greece, Hippocrate, a physician by profession, used cupping therapy to treat internal diseases and structural problems.
MECHANISM OF ACTION OF CUPPING THERAPY
As heated cups are placed on the surface of body, vapors evaporate from the heated part of the cup, after they cool down the vacuum is created:
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Vacuumforces tend to form suction, resulting in, surface beneath to get
drawn upwards.
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As the suction forces expands this leads to breaking down of tiny
capillaries under your skin, followed by increasing blood flow.
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Vacuumforces and break down of capillaries results in release of toxin
substances from the lymphatic system.
TYPES OF CUPPING THERAPY
Cupping therapy is divided into different forms depending upon types of cups used, methods of cupping therapy, power of suction, technical types, added therapy, area treated, etc.
1. Types of cups used-related cupping therapy:
Different types of cups are used for cupping therapy which are bamboo,
silicone, glass, plastic, etc. Bamboo cups were the most oldest
cups for this therapy. Plastic or silicone cups are used in
advanced centers in USA.
2. Methods of cupping-related cupping therapy:
Methods of cupping therapy includes fire cupping, manual suction cupping and
automatic suction cupping therapy.
1. Fire cupping therapy
Fire cupping is pseudo-scientific and non invasive procedure that uses special cups placed on skin to enhance blood flow. Different ups used for fire cupping therapy are plastic, glass and silicone. Fire cupping therapy helps in improved blood pressure, muscle relaxation, improved blood supply to muscles and skin, pain reduction, improved immune system, hormonal balance, etc.
2. Manual cupping therapy
Manual cupping therapy is a traditional cupping therapy that involves placing cups on the skin. The practitioner compresses the cup by hand and quickly places it on the skin.
Automatic suction cupping therapy
Automatic suction cupping therapy involves use of electric cupping therapy machine.
3. Power of suction-related cupping therapy
Different types of cupping therapy in this category depends upon the intensity of suction
applied during the procedure. This type included light suction cupping therapy, medium cupping therapy, strong suction cupping therapy and pulsatile cupping therapy.
4. Technical types
This type of cupping therapy includes dry cupping, wet cupping, flash cupping and massage cupping.
I. Dry cupping therapy
Your practitioner heats the cup from inside. Most traditional method of heating the cups involves firing an alcohol-soaked cotton ball. Dry cupping therapy is most commonly used practice in USA. Most commonly used cups for this technique are glass or plastic cups. This procedure isn’t painful but may cause slight discomfort and bruising.
II. Wet cupping therapy
In this procedure practitioner initially places the cups on the body surface for 3 to 4 minutes, after 3 to 4 mins the cups are removed and small incisions are given, followed by placing of cups for the second time. Wet cupping therapy is mostly on the areas of abundant muscle tissue, which are, back, chest, abdomen, etc.
5. Added therapy and area treated-related cupping therapy
Added therapy-related cupping therapy category included different types depending upon the additional material or substance used along with the cups. This type of cupping therapy includes needle cupping, herbal cupping, laser cupping, aquatic cupping, electrical stimulating cupping, moxa cupping therapy, etc. Whereas area treated-related types of cupping therapy involves, abdominal cupping, facial cupping, female and male cupping, sports cupping, cosmetic cupping, etc.
BENEFITS OF CUPPING THERAPY
There are numerous benefits of cupping therapy which are as follows:
- Improves blood circulation
- Straightens immunity system
Help sin muscle relaxation - Reduce sin Flammarion
Increases pain threshold - Encourages body relaxation and healing
Removes toxins from lymphatic system and body - Reduces body pain
- Improves digestion
- Reduces headaches, migraine, anxiety and depression
- Few blood disorder
- Varicose veins
SIDE EFFECTS OF CUPPING THERAPY
Some complications or risk of cupping therapy involve the following:
- Skin irritation
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Bruises
- Itching or scarring
- Scars and burns
- Slight discomfort
WHOPER FORMS CUPPING THERAPY
Cupping therapy is mostly consider as a safe procedure but should be performed by professional having their expertise in it. Patients should always enquire about the professional background of the person performing cupping therapy. Professionals who performs cupping therapy ar
- Acupuncturists
- Medical doctors
- Chiropractors
- Massage doctors
- Physical therapists
COSTING OF CUPPING THERAPY IN USA
Approximately, cupping therapy cost ranges from $50 to $300 per, depending on various factor like the practitioner performing the therapy, number of sitting, types of clinic, and treatment, etc. Frequently asked questions about cupping therapy:
FAQ – CUPPING THERAPY IN USA
1. Is cupping therapy recommended by doctors?
Most healthcare professionals recommend cupping therapy for well being and relaxation.
2. Is cupping therapy painful?
No, cupping is not painful. Cupping therapy may just cause slight discomfort.
3. Is cupping therapy harmful?
No, cupping therapy is not harmful. Cupping therapy is considered as a safe medical practice.
4. Can cupping therapy cause blood clots?
There are no such scientific evidence of cupping therapy causing blood clots, but if you are on blood thinners you should avoid taking a cupping therapy session.
5. Can cupping therapy cause nerve damage?
No, cupping therapy doesn’t cause nerve damage. Cupping therapy leads to breakdown of tiny capillaries, resulting in healing.
6. Before and after cupping therapy?
Before It is suggested to avoid heavy meals before 3 to 4 hours of cupping therapy.
After- Plenty of water post cupping therapy and adequate rest and sleep are advised.
7. How long does it take to see results of cupping therapy?
The take to see results of cupping therapy is unknown but depends on various factors and may vary from person to person, depending upon the condition of the patient.
8. Can cupping reduce fat?
A clinical trail showed that cupping therapy when combined with a balanced diet may show some amount of weight loss.
9. Is it ok to do cupping therapy everyday?
Mostly, cupping is done once a week. However, if you are using cupping therapy for pain relief, is need to get it done very often.
10. Is cupping therapy better than massage?
Cupping therapy promotes natural healing while massage removes knots.
11. Does cupping actually work?
Cupping therapy is believed to work wonders in cases of acute and chronic pain conditions.
12. Can I do cupping therapy at home?
Yes, you can do cupping therapy at home as many cupping therapy kits are available in market and online websites.
13. How many days marks of cupping therapy last?
Cupping therapy marks may disappear between 4 to 15 days.
14. How much time does cupping therapy session last?
It usually lasts for 5 to 10 mins.
15. What is the best body part for cupping therapy?
Cupping therapy is most commonly performed on back followed by
chest.
16. Why do I feel sick after cupping therapy?
It is normal. You may experience flu like symptoms after cupping
therapy as your body processes and expels toxins released during
session. Some people may also experience nausea, dizziness and
headache.
