Cupping Treatment

For removing stasis or stagnation in the body, especial the muscular and fascial systems

Effect of cupping

The action of creating a partial vacuum draws the skin, muscles and fascia into the cup, stretches the connective tissue, breaks up adhesion and promotes healthy circulation. By stimulating the vessel walls circulation is increased, thus also allowing the debris of old cells and blood to be washed away.

It has been suggested that this may increase the level of red and white blood cells and shift the acidic balance of blood to a neutral or alkaline state. It has been measured that cupping drops ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate - utilized to monitor and identify diseases) as well as inflammatory markers such as fibrogen and ferritin.

Cupping stimulates the nerves, whether the sensory nerves on the skin or deeper nerves

arising from the spinal column when cupping along the back. This helps to regulate the autonomic

nervous system, as well as the organs that are controlled by the relevant underlying nerves.

Function of Cupping

Western Medicine

• Opens the skin pores
• Stimulates the flow of blood
• Stimulates the flow of lymph
• Breaks up tissue adhesions
• Creates an avenue for toxins to leave the body
• Relieves pain

Eastern Medicine

• Promotes free flow of Qi and Blood
• Removes pathogenic factors ie wind, cold, damp etc

Cupping Treatment

Cupping treatment can leave marks on the body but not always. These marks are not bruises. The colours that may arise in a cupping mark may vary between clients depending on their condition and state of health.

Some redness is normal, and should vanish soon after application. This indicates that blood has been moved and heat is released. Fresh red indicates the presence of heat from a recent traumatic injury, area treated will often feel warm following treatment. Darker red, black, deep purple or deep blue indicate blood stagnation and more chronic stagnation, are treated often feels cold following treatment. Deeper and darker marks indicate more excess, paler indicates deficiency and therefore lighter treatment required.

Many people will refer to a deeper coloration from cupping as bruising, but is medically called Red petichiae or Erythema. This is redness of the skin caused by dilatation and congestion of the capillaries and has a therapeutic benefit in cupping.

Please Note: The aim of cupping is not to cause deep coloration, this is solely dependent on the health of the patient, the amount of stagnation in the tissues, muscles and connective tissue. A lot of stagnation may result in stronger coloration, which is the case in more chronic (long standing) conditions such as low back pain that has been present for months or years.

After Effects of Cupping

Generally the after effects of cupping therapy are a deep sense of relaxation, reduced tension and pain in the area treatment. Cupping along the spinal column often leads to a deep sense of relaxation and calm which is produced by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system - rest and digest.

If there is a lot of stagnation present in the body this can leave one feeling one feeling a little fatigued as the body works to eliminate the toxins that have been released via the channels of elimination. But this leads to greater vitality and overall healt.