What is Cupping Therapy Offered at Results Care?
The 2016 summer Olympics had its share of exciting performances, upsets, and photo finishes. But for days after Michael Phelps’s first appearance at the games, it seemed all anyone could talk about was “cupping.” It’s an ancient therapy that left multiple circular discolorations on his skin. During “dry cupping,” suction is applied to the skin for several minutes; sometimes it is combined with massage, acupuncture, or other alternative therapies.
What does cupping therapy help with?
According to its advocates, cupping is supposed to promote healing and has been used extensively for sore muscles. But that’s only the beginning, cupping has also been used for:
- Back and neck pain
- Skin diseases such as acne and hives
- Lowering cholesterol
- Migraines
- Knee arthritis
- Improving immune function
And there are many others. If cupping does help with these problems, it’s worth asking: how? From a biological perspective, it’s not clear how the application of suction and drawing into an area under the skin would provide all these benefits. A recent review of the treatment describes cupping as a treatment that can strengthen the body’s resistance, restore balance between positive and negative forces, remove disease-causing factors, and promote blood circulation. But exactly how is unclear.
H3- A little more about cupping
Cupping is a type of alternative therapy that originated in China. It involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. The suction may facilitate healing with blood flow.
Proponents also claim the suction helps facilitate the flow of “qi” in the body. Qi is a Chinese word meaning life force. A famous Taoist alchemist and herbalist, Ge Hong, reportedly first practiced cupping. He lived from A.D. 281 to 341.
Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This may relieve muscle tension, which can improve overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue.
H4- What should I expect during a cupping treatment ?
During a cupping treatment, a cup is placed on the skin to create a suction. The therapist will perform a cupping massage by dragging a cup along your muscles and then the cups will be left on you for a period of time.