Also known as vacuum therapy, banks, Schröpftherapie, cupping and various other names, cupping is an ancient healing technique spread throughout the world.
The reason for its longevity and popularity is certainly the benefits it brings.
Among them are detoxification, relief of pain and inflammatory conditions, improvement of circulation, lymphatic drainage, beneficial effect on skin health and cellulite removal.
Although it has been around for over 5,000 years, little is actually known about the exact origins of cupping therapy.
The ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt and China are often mentioned as its origins.
A brief history of cupping therapy
Cupping therapy has long been widespread in Europe, Asia, North Africa and among North American natives.
The oldest record of it can be found in the Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical texts created in Egypt around 1500 BC.
The founder of scientific medicine and the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates recommended it for the treatment of various diseases, and the eminent Taoist alchemist and phytotherapist Ge Hong (281-341) wrote about its use.
It was applied by famous European doctors such as Galen and Paracelsus, and at the beginning of the 20th century, the prominent British anthropologist and doctor of medicine Sir Arthur Keith testified about the very successful results of its application.
While at the very beginning animal horns were used for cupping, and a little later cups of a special shape made of ceramics, bamboo, metal and glass, today cupping sets made of glass or silicone are most often used.
The global sports public learned about cupping in 2016. when word got out that it was being used by the most successful swimmer of all time, multiple Olympic champion Michael Phelps.
It was betrayed by the reddish “fats” on the back where the cups were laid.
How cupping therapy works
The name that best describes how cupping works is certainly vacuum therapy, since due to the negative pressure created by extracting air from the cup, it lifts the skin upwards after placing it in a certain place.
This has a relaxing effect on the body, stimulates circulation, the work of the lymphatic system and general metabolism, or – according to traditional Chinese medicine – the flow of vital energy known as qi (chi).
The therapy removes energy blockages, removes toxins and impurities from the body, reduces muscle tension, pain and inflammation.
Depending on their type, method of application and condition of the treated person, the cups usually remain on the body from 3 to 15 minutes.
Since they are placed on certain points or massaged with them, cupping can be used in combination with acupressure, massage, reflexology or acupuncture, as this can enhance the effect of the mentioned therapies.
How to create a vacuum
To create a vacuum, the therapist extracts air from the glass cups by heating them by lighting cotton wool soaked in alcohol inside the glass.
The heated glass cup prepared in this way is placed on the body in order to create a vacuum as a result of cooling, and it does not move from the place where it was placed.
On the other hand, silicone cups, as well as those with pumps, do not heat up.
The vacuum is created by pressing them on the skin. After they stay in one place for a while, he can move them and massage the whole body until the vacuum loosens.
Beforehand, it is recommended to lubricate the body with appropriate oils so that the cups slide more easily.
Numerous benefits of cupping therapy
Cupping therapy penetrates deep into the body, even up to 10 cm.
Since the circulatory system, the flow of lymph (body cleaner) and other physiological processes are activated thanks to the action of the vacuum, it is clear why this leads to the liberation of the body from toxins, inflammation and pain, as well as to better health, skin cleansing and cellulite removal.
Cupping has a truly wide application. Previous experience has shown that it helps with:
- diseases of the respiratory system such as colds, coughs, bronchitis,
pneumonia, asthma andallergies, - rheumatic diseases,
- tension and pain in the back and muscles,
- nerve inflammations,
- Tension
- sports and traumatic injuries,
- poor circulation and edematous conditions,
- detoxification of the body,
- healing of scars and stretch marks,
- cellulite removal,
- impure, problematic skin, eczema and acne,
- tension, anxiety and chronic fatigue,
- migraines and
- loss of skin elasticity and wrinkles.
Indications for cupping are
muscle tension, edematous conditions, tense fascia,
Fake fat
Although due to the “suction” of the skin, the treated person may feel discomfort at first, but this will pass quickly.
After cupping, there will be a feeling of relief, relaxation, relief of pain and general comfort – but also redness in the places where the cups were placed.
It might seem to you that it’s fat, but it’s not, it’s just a sign that your capillaries and blood vessels have been activated.
Interestingly, the redness, for example in the case of back pain, is stronger in problem areas, and the marks usually disappear within a few days.
Split, 28 May 2023.
Sources: Cupping terapija (alternativa-za-vas.com)
