FromOlympic athletes to pregnant pop-stars, people are rediscovering the benefits of cupping. Maybe you’ve even seen people at your gym or swimming pool with those tell-tale red circles on their backs and shoulders. It’s becoming more common for people to request cupping to relieve chronic muscle soreness. But did you know that cupping can be used to treat many other complaints?
Cupping increases circulation
The suction from the cups increases circulation to the area where the cups are placed. The additional blood flow to that area can help relieve muscle tension and promote cell repair. Increasing circulation with cupping also helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Yes, you do have organs that remove toxins from your blood. But the modern lifestyle overloads your body with toxins. Cupping gives your body a boost in releasing those toxins. Focused blood flow helps your body by flushing built-up toxins through the lymphatic system. (Your lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating your body’s toxins and waste.)
When your therapist glides the cups across your skin, your parasympathetic nervous system engages. This promotes deep relaxation to move through your entire body. (Your parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for slowing your heart rate, assisting in digestion, and increasing intestinal and gland activity.)
Cupping can reduce stretch marks and scars
Increased blood flow enables your body to dispose of toxins, restores lymphatic circulation, and helps remove edema (excess fluid), which helps reduce the appearance of scarring. Studies have shown the positive effects of cupping on stretch marks and scars even in areas that are far from the area where the cups are applied.
Cupping can improve varicose veins and spider veins
Varicose veins look like bulging, bluish veins just under your skin, usually on legs and feet. They happen when the valves inside the vein aren’t working properly—the valves don’t effectively push the blood from the muscle back to the heart, so the blood congests and the veins twist and bulge. Cupping helps by bringing fresh blood flow and oxygen back to the problem areas. You’ll notice your varicose veins appear lighter after your first session, though it will take a series of cupping sessions for lasting results. (Note: only dry, not wet, cupping is recommended for treating varicose veins. At Resolution Health, we only practice dry cupping.)
Cupping can clear congestion and help treat asthma
Congestion (the buildup of fluid or phlegm in your lungs) caused by a cold, bronchitis, or even asthma can be treated with cupping. The suction from cups breaks up and expels congestion. It brings oxygen rich blood and lymph toward your lungs and your other respiratory muscles. Cups are usually placed on your back, but may be placed on your chest as well. Your therapist may leave the cups in place, or may gently glide them in an upward motion to facilitate the movement of the lymph fluid. Facial cupping can also be used to help unblock your sinuses.
Cupping can clear colon blockages and aid digestion
Cupping helps to engage the parasympathetic nervous system, which increases blood flow to the digestive tract. Gentle cupping over the abdomen also stimulates the insides of your digestive organs. It aids in peristalsis (contractions that push food through your digestive tract), helps clear colon blockages, encourages blood and body-fluid to move through your organs, and helps relieve indigestion.
Wondering if cupping could work for you?
Give us a call or ask your therapist during your next massage session. Our therapists have been trained and certified in safe and effective cupping techniques. You can choose to have a cupping-only session, or add cupping on to your therapeutic massage.
The benefits of cupping increase over time—consider a monthly membership for added savings and convenience while you enjoy the health benefits of regular massage, cupping, infrared sauna, and acupuncture.
There has been some research that suggests cupping does have benefits when it comes to pain relief, but the studies are generally considered low quality. More studies are needed to conclusively understand the health impacts of the therapy.
Dry cupping has exhibited efficacy in managing generalized pain conditions, whereas wet cupping has demonstrated the most significant benefits in alleviating inflammatory-related pain conditions, such as herpes zoster infection.
Gentle cupping over the abdomen also stimulates the insides of your digestive organs. It aids in peristalsis (contractions that push food through your digestive tract), helps clear colon blockages, encourages blood and body-fluid to move through your organs, and helps relieve indigestion.
According to the research mentioned above, cupping may remove toxins by stimulating the immune response, both locally and systemically. It may also eliminate uric acid, a natural waste product from the digestion of certain foods. Uric acid buildup can lead to high levels of acidity in the blood and urine.
Cupping works by creating a vacuum pressure on the skin which draws out impurities from deep tissue massage and muscles. This process helps draw out accumulated waste products such as environmental toxins and heavy metals that may have been stored in your cells for years without you knowing it was there.
In general, cupping is contraindicated directly on veins, arteries, nerves, skin inflammation, any skin lesion, body orifices, eyes, lymph nodes, or varicose veins. Cupping is also contraindicated on open wounds, bone fractures, and sites of deep vein thrombosis.
Cupping leaves temporary marks on the skin. The origin of these marks should be explained to health care providers so that they won't be mistaken for signs of physical abuse. Cupping can cause side effects such as persistent skin discoloration, scars, burns, and infections, and may worsen eczema or psoriasis.
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.
These cupping marks are discoloration of the skin due to broken blood vessels just beneath the skin, much like a bruise. This indicates the level of blood and Qi stagnation, toxin accumulation, or dampness accumulation in your body. The color and pattern of the marks reflect the level of stagnation in that area.
Since its conception, cupping therapy has been used as a way to alleviate symptoms of mental health issues including stress and anxiety. Today, cupping therapy is a popular holistic therapy technique that is used for its healing effects on these same mental health issues as well as physical pain.
A clinical trial showed cupping combined with diet control had significant effect on lowering BMI, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in obese adult.
Cupping therapy can help remove the buildup of excess heat in the lungs and clears them of the congestion, phlegm, and fluids. You may notice that a persistent cough beginning to easy up and an improvement in breathing.
Cupping usually lasts anywhere from 5 - 10 minutes. Many people can feel the results almost immediately after the treatment. Similar to a massage, some people may feel some soreness immediately after the procedure that improves with rest, usually within 24 hours.
Suction and Blood Flow: Cupping therapy involves creating suction on the skin, which helps to improve blood circulation in the treated area. This increased blood flow can promote healing, reduce inflammation, and relieve muscle tension.
Patients can come in as often as two to three times a week for cupping, but it's usually used in conjunction with acupuncture. “Cupping is a great adjunct because you can feel better faster, whereas with just acupuncture, you'll feel better, but it might be a couple days later,” she says. Interested in cupping?
Cupping leaves temporary marks on the skin. The origin of these marks should be explained to health care providers so that they won't be mistaken for signs of physical abuse. Cupping can cause side effects such as persistent skin discoloration, scars, burns, and infections, and may worsen eczema or psoriasis.
Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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