CUPPING THERAPY

Cupping therapy is a form of alternative medicine.The therapy, which has its origins in traditional Chinese medicine and the unani system, involves placing small cups, often heated, on the body part that needs healing.

A partial vacuum is created inside the cups and when these are lifted after a few minutes, it sucks out disease-causing fluids and energy (qi), resulting in localized healing. 

Uses for Cupping

Cupping is often recommended as a complementary therapy for the following conditions:

• Back pain
• Headache or migraine
• Knee pain
• Muscle pain and soreness
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Sports injuries and performance 

There are three main categories of cupping performed today: 

Dry cupping: Cups that have been heated or have an attached pump are placed on the affected part. Vacuum created by heat or manually by the pump, lifts the skin, expands blood vessels and creates a bright red mark.

Wet cupping: Suction created like dry cupping but after 3 min cup is removed to reveal swollen, red patch of skin. Small incisions are made on this patch to draw out 'diseased' blood.

Massage cupping: Skin is oiled and the cups are then moved over the skin in a gliding motion. This removes knots and provides relief from inflammation.