Chinese Cupping Therapy / Cupping / Fire Cupping
Cupping has numerous benefits — it can help remove toxins from the body and stimulate the flow of fresh blood and lymph to the affected area and throughout the body. It often works wonders for patients with the flu, colds, coughs, back and muscle pain, poor circulation, anxiety, red itchy skin conditions (though cups are not applied to inflamed areas), allergies, fevers, aches and myriad other pains.
Cupping (or hijama) is placing the glass cups or bamboo jars as suction devices on the skin (usually placed on the back or large muscles) to draw out pathogenic factors, move blood to the surface to trigger the lymphatic system, clear the blood vessels, and stretch and activate the skin.
One way to think about cupping is that it is the inverse of massage, rather than applying pressure to muscles, the suction uses pressure to pull skin, tissue and muscles – upward. The underlying tissue is raised, or sucked, partway into the cup. The purpose of cupping is to enhance circulation, help relieve pain, remove “heat” and pull out the toxins that linger in your body’s tissues.
One very common area to be cupped is the back, although cups work well on other areas, too — particularly on fleshy sections of the body.
Celebrities get cupping regularly – what are YOU waiting for? Call today to give it a try!
Jennifer Aniston arrived at the premiere of her movie, “Call Me Crazy” looking stunning in a strapless black dress which revealed cupping marks. She is known to be a long time fan of cupping and acupuncture.
Gwyneth Paltrow showed up on the red carpet with obvious round cupping marks on her back. She received a lot of press and later explained to Oprah, “It feels amazing and it’s very relaxing.”
Wang Qun, a Chinese swimmer proudly showed off her marks during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Mets baseball players have also adopted the treatment.
Cupping is not exclusive to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Variations of this treatment were used by ancient Egyptians, North American Indians, early Greeks, and in other Asian and European countries. Cupping therapy was recommended by Hippocrates, the man whom many consider to be the “Father of Modern Medicine,” in his guide to clinical treatment.
It should be noted that cupping is not be used on patients who bleed easily and/or cannot stop bleeding, have skin ulcers, or edema. It is unwise to cup over large blood vessels as well. Pregnant women should be cupped with extreme caution and never on their abdomen.
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-16791/3-reasons-everyone-should-try-cupping.html
What does Cupping Treat?
Respiratory conditions – relieves and can clear congestion from a common cold or help to control a person’s asthma.
Relieves back and neck pains, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism, treat high blood pressure, among other things.
Does it Leave Visible Marks?
Yes. Cupping, like Gua Sha, leaves distinctive marks on the skin. While this is not harmful or painful in any way, the markings appear as dark round bruises.
Your TCM practitioner will provide you with informed consent information prior to the use of this therapy.