Cupping Therapy

Cupping (Hijama in Arabic) is an ancient, holistic method for the treatment that becomes more prominent in the Massage world every day, BUT what many do not know is that this technique has been documented in early Egyptian and Chinese medical practices for centuries. With its recent popularity among celebrities and athletes in the U.S. in recent years, the scope in which cupping therapy is being used is expanding. This in turn has lead to the growth of research providing additional evidence-based data for the further advancement of cupping therapy in the treatment of a variety of diseases.

Worldwide people are adopting cupping therapy as a way for health promotion, prophylaxis and treatment of a variety of diseases, and with every new adaptation in grows in popularity.

Cupping Therapy uses decompression, or suction. This suction force expands and breaks open tiny blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin. The layers of skin, fascia, and muscles within the treated area are lifted and pulled away from each other while fluid is also drawn to the area through the force of the suction. This allows for the creation of space in the layers of fascia which surrounds, and runs through all the muscle and organs in the human body. Your body treats the cupping area like an injury. It sends more blood to the area to stimulate the natural healing process.

"The fascia forms the largest system in the body as it is the system that touches all other systems." -James L Oscham, PhD

Decompression was primarily created by heating the cups with fire, and as they cooled, the cups drew the skin inside. The original cups where fashioned from animal hooves, horns, and bamboo as they were hollow. Later, the “cups” were made from bamboo and then ceramic. These days cups can be found in many forms such as glass, plastic, and silicone.

Cupping Methods Include:

Dry Cupping-
- is a suction-only method
- practitioner heats inside of each cup- typically with an alcohol-soaked cotton set aflame. The heat sends oxygen out of the cup, creating a vacuum.
- Some modern cupping practitioners have shifted to using rubber pumps to create suction
  - once placed on your skin, the vacuum force pulls skin up into the cup
  - Cupping is sometimes performed along with acupuncture treatments.

*When it comes to dry cupping, sets can be in place usually between 5 and 10 minutes.

Wet Cupping-
- normally involves both suction and controlled medicinal bleeding
- practitioner uses needle to puncture skin- area being cupped before, and sometimes after, cupping.
  - toxins leave the body through the puncture wounds during the cupping procedure.

*Your practitioner, your medical condition, and your preferences will help determine what method is used.

With the stretching, caused by the negative pressure (decompression), occurs it allows oxygenated blood, lymph circulation, muscle productivity and mobility to increase. Stagnant blood is eliminated and the immune system is given a boost. Pain, muscle stiffness and tenderness, and joint discomfort are all treatable with this therapy. Disorders such as Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Asthma, Gastrointestinal Dysfunctions, Depression, and more can all benefit and even be brought some relief with Cupping Therapy. All because fascia is the soft tissue component of connective tissue and is a continuous network that envelops all muscles, bones, and organs.

Cupping has also been used to help: