Cupping Therapy Archives - Urban Acupuncture Center

What is Cupping Therapy?

by urban-acupuncture | Feb 13, 2017 | Cupping Therapy

Cupping Therapy in Columbus, Ohio

The process of creating suction by placing special cups over the skin is called cupping. This therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine. The benefits of cupping are many; it is mostly performed to provide relief, reduce inflammation, and improves blood flow. It is a variant of deep tissue massage, as well. The specially designed cups used are made of silicone, glass, earthenware or bamboo.

Cupping therapy types

The practice of cupping, like acupuncture, dates back to ancient Chinese, Egyptian and Middle Eastern Cultures. The first mention of cupping is in the text Ebers Papyrus from 1550 B.C. There are two types of cupping: Wet and Dry.

In both types of cupping, the therapist at Acupuncture of Columbus, OH, places an inflammable solution like alcohol mixed with herbs or paper placed in a cups and sets it on fire. As the fire dies, the cup is placed inverted on the skin. This creates suction as the air contained within the cup cools. As a result, the skin covered in the cup rises and turns red as blood vessels dilate. Generally, the cup is placed over the skin for 3 minutes.

The modern twist on this ancient practice involves the use of rubber pump in the place of fire to create vacuum. Some therapists also prefer to use silicone cups which are easier to handle. Silicone cups are constantly moved along the skin to provide a massage effect.

Wet cupping creates a suction which is milder than dry suction. After 3 minutes, the cups are removed and small incisions on the skin are made. These light cuts ooze out a minimal quantity of blood during the consecutive second cupping session. The practice of wet cupping is believed to expel harmful toxins from blood.

Is cupping effective?

There have been many reports which scientifically support the benefits of cupping in relieving pain. Persistent pain associated with medical conditions like carpel tunnel, chronic neck pain and lumbar pain, is effectively treated with cupping. There is however, lack of the evidence for the healing properties of cupping. The process of cupping is the equivalent of sterile inflammation. The region which is raised from the vacuum created, mimics injury (given the gush of blood to the site). With it, an inflammatory response is triggered, deploying antibodies to the region in an attempt to heal.

Benefits of cupping

Relief from pain: The most common reason to seek cupping is pain relief. Those who seek a safe and natural remedy to diminish joint aches and muscle soreness, have found relief through cupping. Cupping has shown promising results in reduction of lower back pain in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Cupping also offers deep tissue relaxation and eases stiff muscles. It can provide relief from rheumatism, neck pain, fatigue and migraine.
Healthy skin: The use of cupping reduces herpes, inflammation, acne and cellulite. There are studies which have proved that cupping helps in weight loss and helps in making the skin firmer.
Improved digestion: Cupping helps in relieving irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by reducing the stress response of a patient. As a result, digestion is improved.

For more information on cupping, visit http://acupunctureofcolumbus.com

For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist, Steve Drugan,B.S., L.Ac., at 614.218.6287 or click here. Taking new patients in and around Columbus, Ohio.

Why Do Cupping Therapy and How Does It Work?

by urban-acupuncture | Sep 10, 2014 | Cupping Therapy

We have noticed that certain conditions seem to improve much more quickly when we use cupping to regular acupuncture treatments. We recommend several cupping sessions for almost everyone who comes in with upper back and lower back tension. It is our go-to treatment for those tight traps and the tension between the scapula and spine, and many people feel a profound improvement almost immediately. Ask your acupuncturist if this would be a good adjunct with your current acupuncture treatments.

Cupping is a technique often used in conjunction with acupuncture. Cupping pulls blood to a region to stimulate healing. It is effective at releasing tight fascia and muscles. Cupping helps the tissues develop new blood flow and also stimulates anti-inflammatory chemicals in the body. That’s why it works so well for pain.

So how does cupping work?

As we age, especially after 40 years old, our bodies begin to break down. This includes loss of muscle, the formation of adhesions in fascia and a decrease in blood flow. You can see this as your muscle tone decreases, we get stiffer and wrinkles start to appear in new places. As we move less and decrease our physical activity the blood supply to tissues decrease, and the fascia gets knotted and scarred up, further limiting movement and it becomes a vicious cycle.

Initially, it pulls blood into an area (no bleeding involved, it is under the skin). As new blood is forced into the tissues around the cups the body will begin to develop new blood vessels called neovascularization, new blood vessel formation. We believe this is why cupping can cause a lasting effect. As the new vessels form, they will have the capability to feed the tissues with nutrients and oxygen.

Next, the fascia and tissue can be stretched with cupping. The new blood vessels are forming and the blood and nutrients are starting to flow to the affected area. When you put cups on the back or around the injured area it can begin to stretch the connective tissue and fascia for better movement. Many people start out very tight but over a series of treatments, generally 3 to start with, the area becomes much more loose.

Cupping Therapy is Available at the Westerville Clinic:

405 W. Main Street

Westerville, OH 43081

(614) 426-4406