The Power of Cupping
Cupping therapy, is a long-standing complementary and alternative medicine practice with tremendous potential to support various ailments. Today we'll explore how cupping works, its pharmacological actions, and how cupping may be beneficial to your health concerns.
To read more, an excellent overview can be found in the Harvard Health Blog; for a more medical perspective on how cupping works, explore this article in the Journal of Complementary Medicine.
Cupping: An Ancient Medical Practice
Cupping therapy has a rich historical background dating back to ancient civilizations. Herodotus, the Greek historian from 400 BC prescribed wet and dry cupping therapy for conditions like headaches, indigestion, and abscesses. Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, advocated cupping for various musculoskeletal and gynecological issues. Cupping also has deep roots in Asian medicinal systems such as in Ayurveda, Chinese, Tibetan, and Oriental Medicine. In Europe, cupping was practiced by monastery healers and folk practitioners until the 19th century.
Methods of Cupping
Cupping therapy, belonging to the Chinese traditional medicine system with a history spanning over 2000 years, encompasses various methods. There are ten distinct types of cupping, including weak/light cupping, medium cupping, strong cupping, moving cupping, needle cupping, moxa/hot needle cupping, empty/flash cupping, full/bleeding cupping, herbal cupping, and water cupping. Traditional cups were crafted from materials such as glass, metals, or bamboo, with gourds even being used by the ancient Greeks.
Seyhart Cupping: Our acupuncturists perform glass-fire cupping as the stronger intensity of this method can be more effective. For more sensitive individuals we use plastic cups.
Where Can Cups Be Placed?
Cupping therapy is applied to various regions of the body, each corresponding to specific health issues. We place cups on the back, neck, between the shoulders, sides of the neck, behind the ears, head, chin, thighs, knees, ankles, breast, hips, buttocks, wrists, and shoulder joints, among others. The choice of where to place the cups depends on the individual's condition and the type of cups used. The cups are left in place for 5 to 10 minutes, sometimes longer, and may result in characteristic circular red or purplish skin changes that may appear like a bruise. The skin marks usually resolve within a few weeks. Cupping techniques can range from dry cupping using a flame (the Seyhart method) to wet cupping, which involves cutting the skin for blood letting followed by placement of the cup.
Pharmacological Actions of Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy offers results that extend beyond pain relief. It has been shown to be effective in various conditions, including joint pain, back and neck pain, arthritis, migraines, skin diseases, improving immune function, lowering cholesterol, and facial paralysis. This therapy helps restore balance, aligns skin blood flow, and removes impure blood from affected areas. Cupping can also modulate immune responses, making it a valuable tool for enhancing overall health. The pharmacological effects of cupping therapy are diverse and provide a holistic approach to managing a wide range of medical conditions.
Take Home Points
Cupping therapy is a multifaceted and historically significant practice that may be as important a healing modality today as it was in ancient times. Its rich history, diverse methods, and method of action make it a valuable complementary resource in modern healthcare.