Therapeutic Cupping

Therapeutic Cupping is a form of alternative medicine used in ancient days to cure lung diseases like bronchitis and pneumonia. It has become a famous therapy these days and used to treat several health conditions. Physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors and acupuncturists are the trained practitioners who perform therapeutic cupping. This practice is said to ease pain and inflammation, promote blood flow and provide relaxation for the patient.

What is Therapeutic Cupping

Therapeutic cupping is a traditional method where the medical practitioner would apply cups on the skin of the patient to create a suction or a vacuum effect. The suction formed then pulls the skin into the cup and swells. This process increases the flow of blood in the affected area where the pain is experienced and decreases pain.

It is one of the most effective treatments preferred in ancient days to release toxins from the tissues and organs of the human body. Though the exact origin of cupping therapy still remains a mystery, the oldest medical textbook Ebers Papyrus indicated the usage of this therapy to treat several conditions.

Therapeutic cupping practice has been used in several locations including ancient Egypt, China and Middle Eastern countries. It is said that greek physicians too preferred this technique to treat dislocated vertebrae and reduce the spinal alignment.

The Chinese have been using cupping therapy for several years. The Taoist alchemist and herbalist Ge Hong is the first person from China to use this practice. Since the 1950s, the Chinese government hospitals have adopted therapeutic cupping as a treatment method.

Recently, therapeutic cupping has developed a popularity as several celebrities like Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow, Rio Olympic athletes Michael Phelps and swimmer Natalie Coughlin revealed their cupping therapy marks to the world.

How Does Therapeutic Cupping Work?

The physical therapist will place a flammable substance like paper, herbs or alcohol inside the cups and ignite them. The therapist does this to create suction inside the cups. Most therapists prefer to use three to seven cups. As the fire source is removed, the cups are placed on the patient’s body.

The air inside the cup gets cooled and creates a vacuum. This process pulls the skin and the muscle upward into the cup as the tiny blood vessels expand and burst. As a result, blood circulation increases and the process of healing is initiated. The physical therapist usually carries out this process for five to ten minutes then removes the cups.

The cup materials used to perform therapeutic cupping includes plastic, bamboo, silicon, glass or horn.

Different Types of Therapeutic Cupping

Physical therapists mainly perform two different types of therapeutic cupping, dry cupping and wet cupping.

Dry Cupping

This is the most common method that includes the creation of suction by placing flammable substances inside the cups and igniting them.

Wet Cupping

Wet cupping is performed by puncturing the skin with a needle that initiates a controlled bleeding process. This removes toxins out of the patient’s body through the puncture wounds. This treatment is also referred to as “Hijama”

Other forms of cupping therapy were also carried out in the ancient period. In the early years, the Chinese used animal horns to remove the toxins in the body caused due to snakebites and skin lesions. Later they used the cross-sections of bamboo to perform cupping therapy.

The other forms of cupping preferred in the ancient days include

Horn Cupping

In this method, animal horns are boiled in water or ignited by using fire to remove the air inside the cups which are then placed on the skin.

Flash cupping

This method of cupping involves placing the cups quickly over the skin and removing them repeatedly in order to reduce local congestion. As a result, blood circulation is increased. It is also referred to as empty cupping.

Oil cupping

In this method, massage oils are applied to the skin and then the cups are placed over the body. It is also referred to as sliding cupping.

Conditions Treated Using Therapeutic Cupping

Therapeutic cupping is believed to treat the following conditions in humans.

Back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain

Herniated disc

Gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel disease (IBD)

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Rheumatic diseases like arthritis and fibromyalgia

Skin problems such as acne and eczema

Lung disorders including cough, asthma and bronchitis congestion

Anxiety and depression

Facial paralysis

Headaches and migraines

Blood disorders such as anaemia and haemophilia

Benefits of Therapeutic Cupping

Therapeutic cupping is believed to have the following benefits on the human body.

Increase blood circulation

Promote faster healing and reduce pain

Removes toxins from the blood vessels

Provides relaxation

Relieve muscle spasm and muscle tension

Keeps the skin healthy

Side Effects of Therapeutic Cupping

Therapeutic cupping is said to have some effects on the human body that includes bruises and burns that might go away in seven to ten days. Physical therapists apply a moisturizer or an antiseptic cream to prevent any possible skin infections. Other side effects include headache, tiredness and dizziness.

This therapy is not suitable for pregnant women, older adults, children and people with other health problems like cancer, organ failure and heart diseases.

Final Thoughts

Though there are not enough scientific evidence on the benefits of therapeutic cupping, several countries around the world allow this treatment to treat various conditions. Moreover, it is important to ask the practitioner if your body condition is good for carrying out this therapy. If you are uncertain whether to use this treatment or not, contact your physical therapist and he/she will guide you through the process.