Cupping therapy has found greater use in recent years, catching the attention of athletes, celebrities, and regular people as a therapeutic technique to help with pain and muscle soreness. The healing practice has its roots in practices from ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures.
When you go in for a session, a practitioner will place cups on the skin (typically the back) to create negative pressure through a vacuum pump, which then pulls up the area of skin and tissues, creating a kind of bulb inside the cup. This technique, also known as suction cup therapy, promotes healing by improving the circulation of blood and relaxing the muscles and tissues in the affected area.
How Does Cupping Work?
So, how does cupping work? First, the cupping practitioner will have you lie face down. Then, they will begin by placing a cup on your back. The practice then works by placing a tube into the bottom of the cup and creating a vacuum inside the cup using a carefully controlled air pump.
This generates suction on the area of skin and underlying tissues directly beneath the cup. This causes the skin and superficial muscle layer to be drawn into the cup. It’s a similar principle to when you place a glass cup around your mouth as a kid and allow the suction you create to force the cup to cling to the area.
The suction effect increases blood circulation in the areas under the cup, which can promote cell repair and help flush toxins from the system.
Evidence for the Effectiveness of Cupping Therapy
On the practical side of things, scientific evidence for the effectiveness of cupping therapy has been growing, with evidence that it helps with the following:
- Herpes zoster and associated pain
- Acne
- Facial paralysis
- Cervical spondylosis
- Lowering blood pressure
- Prevention of cardiovascular diseases in healthy people
- Effective in alleviating the pain of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Headaches and migraines
- Reduction of systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients
- Effective in the treatment of cellulitis
- Asthma
- Common cold
- Urticaria
- Soft tissue injury
- Arthritis
- Neuro-dermatitis
New studies are being done regularly, and more evidence of the positive effects of cupping has been mounting. As always though, be careful and check that it’s affecting your body in a good way, as some people can have adverse reactions.
Types of Cupping
There are several types of cupping available for people to try: dry, wet, fire, and moving being the main ones.
Typically, people think of dry cupping when they are just starting out, or they may have seen fire cupping in videos or demonstrations and want to try that one. Here’s a quick rundown on each of them:
Dry Cupping Therapy
Dry cupping therapy is the most widely practiced form of cupping and the main one we use at Back to Health. In this method, the practitioner places cups on the skin and creates suction without breaking the skin. The cups are typically left in place for 5-10 minutes, during which time the skin beneath the cup will rise and redden as blood flows to the area.
Dry cupping is often used to treat muscle pain and tension and improve overall circulation. Many people find it deeply relaxing, almost like a reverse massage, where the muscle is being pulled rather than pressed.
Wet Cupping Therapy
Wet cupping therapy, also known as "Hijama" in the Arabic tradition, takes the cupping process a step further than dry cupping. In this method, the practitioner makes small incisions in the skin in the area where they will be applying the cups. The suction then draws out a small amount of blood during the process.
Proponents of wet cupping believe that this technique helps remove toxins from the body and stimulates the immune system. While it might sound intimidating, wet cupping is generally considered safe when performed by a trained professional. There’s no need to go this far when you’re just starting to explore cupping, though.
Fire Cupping
Next, there’s fire cupping, perhaps the most ‘showy’ of the methods. In this technique, the practitioner briefly places a flame inside the cup to remove the oxygen, creating a vacuum effect when the cup is placed on the skin. Before we had air pumps, this was one of the only effective ways to do cupping. The traditional method also adds an element of warmth to the therapy.
Fire cupping benefits include increased circulation and a slightly deeper level of muscle relaxation due to the heat. Many people find this method particularly soothing, especially for chronic muscle tension.
Moving Cupping
Moving cupping, sometimes called gliding cupping, combines elements of cupping and massage for an enhanced effect. It is another form of cupping we perform here at Back to Health for a more dynamic treatment of the whole body through cupping. Typically, the practitioner will apply ample massage oil to the skin to move the cups along the muscles smoothly, creating a gliding suction. This technique can cover a large area and is often used on the back, legs, and arms.
The Benefits of Cupping Therapy
The benefits of cupping therapy are wide-ranging, the main ones people often go in for are pain relief and stress reduction, but there are many more. Here’s a closer look at the specific benefits:
- Pain Relief: Many people turn to cupping to address chronic back pain, neck and shoulder tension, and headaches, which often have their source in tensed muscles from these areas.
- Relaxation: Many people also find cupping therapy profoundly relaxing. The sensation of the cups and the increased blood flow can induce a state of deep relaxation, helping to soothe stress and anxiety.
- Improved Circulation: Getting a cupping massage can also help improve blood circulation. By drawing blood to specific body areas, cupping can speed up injury healing and help with soreness and pain.
- Better Skin: Cupping has recently shown promise in increasing collagen production. This is believed to help improve skin tone and texture and even reduce the appearance of scars.
- Digestive Health: Some practitioners use cupping on the abdomen to stimulate the digestive organs, which is thought to improve appetite and help alleviate symptoms of conditions like IBS.
- Respiratory Health: Finally, cupping on the back and chest is sometimes used to address respiratory issues. It can help clear congestion, improve asthma symptoms, and generally improve airflow and lung capacity.
In addition to the above, there are more general cupping therapy benefits that include activating the lymphatic system and repairing one’s internal tissues. More benefits are being discovered and tested annually.
Understanding Cupping Marks
One of the most distinctive aspects of cupping is the circular marks it leaves behind on the skin. These are called cupping therapy marks, and they are created by bruising under the skin. They are nothing too serious to worry about, but for many new patients, they raise many questions and concerns.
How long do cupping marks last? They typically start fading away around 3 to 7 days for light treatments, and 2 weeks for stronger sessions. However, the duration depends greatly on the person and session. Factors include individual skin sensitivity, the strength of suction used, and one’s overall health and circulation.
To help the marks fade faster, you can try to stay well-hydrated, take warm showers to improve circulation, and consider applying arnica cream or vitamin K cream to the affected areas. In the end, however, time is the main factor that will lead to them vanishing, similar to a sunburn or bruise.
Preparing for Your Cupping Session
Before you head out to your first cupping therapy session, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, stay well-hydrated and eat a light meal beforehand - this will keep you energized. Wear comfortable, loose clothing that you can open or take off easily to allow access to the treatment areas.
During the session, you can and should communicate with your practitioner about pressure and comfort levels as the cupping begins. You may feel a tight or pulling sensation, but it shouldn't be painful.
After your session, drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous exercise for about 24 hours. It's also advisable to wait at least 2 hours before showering, allowing your body to process the treatment before scrubbing it down.
Conclusion
As research into cupping therapy continues, we're likely to gain even more insights into its benefits and optimal applications. While it's been used for thousands of years, modern science is just beginning to unravel the full potential of this ancient practice.
So, whether you're an athlete looking to recover more effectively or you’re dealing with chronic pain, there are many reasons to try cupping therapy. As with any treatment, you should approach it with an open mind and realistic expectations. While it may not be a miracle cure, many people find significant relief and improved well-being through the practice.