Cupping Therapy: An Ancient Solution to Modern Pain
Cupping therapy is an ancient Eastern healing practice that has been used for centuries to help treat pain, inflammation, and many other ailments. It involves the use of cups, typically made of glass or silicone, that are heated and placed on the skin to create suction. This suction helps draw out toxins, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
Cupping therapy is becoming increasingly popular in the Western world as a form of pain relief. Whether you’re looking to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, or simply relax, cupping therapy can be a valuable solution to your modern pain.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cupping is used as part of a larger system of Acupuncture and Manual/Physical Therapy and Herbal Medicine. According to the Chinese medical texts, cupping therapy dates back to at least 3,000 BC, when hollow horns were used as cups to draw out blood from the skin. Over time, the practice evolved to include the use of bamboo, pottery, and metal.
These days, sterile, heated, plastic or silicone cups are suctioned to the skin to increase blood flow and help to draw out pathogens, such as toxins and bacteria, from the body. It relieves muscle tension, reduces inflammation, and improves circulation. The cups create a negative pressure on the skin which helps to increase blood flow to the area, providing increased oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This helps to stimulate healing and reduce pain. Cupping can be used on its own or in combination with other forms of Acupuncture and Manual/Physical Therapy.
You've probably seen the circles on many athletes' backs and wondered what they are from – CUPPING! Athletes use cupping to enhance their performance, reduce their recovery time and reduce fatigue. Regular cupping sessions help them stay in peak physical condition and perform at their best.
Here are just a few of the ways Mend uses Cupping to heal our patients:
1. Pain relief: Cupping therapy is incredibly effective at reducing pain in the body, especially in the neck, back, and shoulders. It can help alleviate chronic pain from arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions, as well as acute pain from injuries.
2. Improved circulation: Cupping helps improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area. This can help reduce inflammation and tension, as well as aid in the healing process.
3. Relaxation: Cupping is known to be a very calming and relaxing treatment that can help relieve stress and anxiety.
4. Improved respiratory conditions: Cupping is so beneficial in treating respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and sinus pressure. It helps reduce inflammation in the chest area and make breathing easier.
5. Fever reduction: Cupping is also believed to help reduce fever by cooling the body down and promoting better circulation.
6. Acne reduction: Cupping draws out the heat and stagnant pus and cools the blood.
So come into Mend and experience a session of Cupping. And if you are coming in for an Acupuncture Treatment the Cupping is included!
