Finding holistic ways to manage health is becoming increasingly appealing to many people as a preventative healthcare measure and to reduce reliance on medication where appropriate and beneficial.
Focusing on wellness over time can only stand you in excellent stead as you get older – and the good news is that there are many avenues you can go down to help you with a wide range of ailments that may crop up.
One such therapy to consider is traditional Chinese cupping, which has been used for centuries to address all sorts of complaints, everything from chronic pain and respiratory issues to physical injury recovery.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about cupping that we hear at AcuRestore. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, however, simply give the team a call and we can discuss the therapy and its myriad benefits.
1. What is Chinese cupping?
The ancient Chinese practice of cupping dates back to 1500 BC, involving the use of a cup to create suction on the skin through the application of a flame inside the cup, which creates negative pressure and draws the skin upwards.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s believed that this works to promote the flow of Qi and reduce stagnation in meridian channels, which can cause illness and disease.
Common materials for cups include glass, ceramic, bamboo and plastic. Some practitioners use a rubber pump now instead of a flame to create the necessary vacuum inside the cup, which can be safer and more controlled.
2. What can Chinese cupping treat?
Many conditions can potentially be treated by cupping, including:
- Chronic back pain
- Neck pain
- Stiff muscles
- Sciatica
- Fibromyalgia
- Colds
- Bronchitis
- Congestion
- Asthma
- Sports injuries
- Post-surgery/injury trauma
- Muscle spasms
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Acne
- Eczema
- High blood pressure
3. How does cupping work?
By creating a vacuum and pulling the skin, tissues and blood vessels upwards, stagnant Qi and blood is brought to the surface, breaking it up and promoting free flow in meridians once again.
4. What are the different types of cupping?
Wet cupping
Here, the skin is lightly pierced so that blood is able to flow into the cup upon application. The aim here is to promote detoxification, provide inflammation relief and improve blood circulation, while eliminating toxins and promoting healing.
Dry cupping
Here, the skin isn’t pierced and cups are just applied to the skin to create the vacuum necessary to draw skin and tissue upwards. This method aims to improve blood flow, loosen muscles, encourage relaxation, provide pain relief and enhance general wellbeing.
5. What happens during cupping therapy?
It’s natural to feel a little anxious if you’ve never had cupping before but rest assured that the therapy is safe and effective.
A typical session will last between five and 15 minutes, with oil applied to the skin and the cups moved over the body to deliver a gentle massage.
Note that you should not experience any pain during your therapy session with us at our Manchester clinic, but you may experience a tight, stretching or pulling sensation as we work.