Cupping

What is Cupping & Wet Cupping?

Cupping is one of the oldest methods of alternative medicine. This therapy uses cups to create local suction on the patient’s skin. The suction created by cupping pulls stagnant fluids to the surface, removes toxic pathogens and promotes fresh oxygenated, nutrient rich blood & lymph. The cups are usually made of glass or silicone. There are types of cupping methods: dry cupping and wet cupping. While dry cupping therapy uses fire or a pump to create the vacuum in the cups.  Wet cupping still uses the vacuum but also involves movement of the cups across the skin.

The wet cupping therapy, similar as Hijama, is considered as the most commonly used method. This is the process of using a vacuum at different points on the body but with incisions in order to remove ‘harmful’ blood which lies just beneath the surface of the skin. Furthermore, wet cupping is believed to clear the shallow and deep muscle tissues from toxins while boosting the immune system.

How it is used in Chinese Medicine at TCM Shanghai?

At TCM Shanghai, the patient goes through a TCM Health Screening and a doctor’s consultation prior to the cupping treatment. Based on the findings, the doctor determines the type of cupping needed. He will then identify the areas of the body to place the cups and the duration of the therapy. The patient will be asked to lie down on his/her back or front depending on where the cups will be used. The therapist then places the cups upside down on targeted parts of the body using a flaming stick or a pump to create a suction and vacuum. The cups stay in place for a period of 5 to 15 minutes. The number of sessions required depends on the patient’s health condition. TCM Shanghai has special cupping therapy package for health regulation and can also be used effectively for weight loss and slimming.

The wet cupping is performed by placing a cup on the skin, and the skin is pulled in it through creating a vacuum inside the cup. A superficial incision is made in the same area after few minutes, and the blood will be allowed to accumulate inside the cups. This process can be repeated multiple time. This method can be applied to many regions such as the back of the neck, chest, abdominal wall, and the back area. The cups stay in place for a period of 5 to 15 minutes. The number of sessions required depends on the patient’s health condition.

What can the results be and how do you feel?

Most patients experience a relaxing sensation coupled with relief when cupping therapy is performed. They might also experience a slight twinge when the skin is pulled up by suction. After the cup is removed, patients might notice a circular bruise or marking. However, these bruises are not painful, it is only signs of the cups doing their job. The color and pattern of the marks depend on the level of stagnation in the area. They can range from a bright red to dark purple. They cupping marks usually lasting 3 days to a week, sometimes longer if the person is very sick or leads a sedentary lifestyle. These marks usually decrease over the therapy sessions indicating a successful treatment. If there is no stagnation present, there will be only a pink marking which disappears in a few minutes to a couple of hours. Cupping enhances local circulation of qi and blood in the treated area, alleviating swelling, pain, and tension.

The main benefit of wet cupping therapy is associated with precipitation of blood circulation, thereby removing blood stasis and waste from the body. In addition, local damage to the skin and capillary vessels due to the application of this therapy acts as nociceptive stimuli that trigger the nervous system-mediated excretion of certain substances from the body. Indeed, this therapy has been to stimulate the peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. It is believed that cupping therapy removes noxious substances from the skin microcirculation and interstitial fluid compartment, drains excess fluid, and increases cutaneous and muscle blood flows. Thus, wet cupping therapy enables the organism to get rid of noxious substances and waste products from the body.

If you would like to see how cupping can help you relieve pain or stress please contact us below or call us +971 4 886 2862 and make an appointment.

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Who is Cupping & Wet Cupping for?

Cupping therapy is a great therapy for local pain relief and muscle relaxation. It is especially effective for sports related injuries and recovery. It can improve overall health by treating energetic blockages, removing stagnation and enhancing the circulation of blood and Qi in the targeted body areas.

Furthermore, wet cupping, similar as Hijama, is believed to clear the shallow and deep muscle tissues from toxins while boosting the immune system.

Cupping & Wet Cupping helps relieve the following but not limited to:

• Skin problem such as Acne and Herpes Zoster
• Fertility and gynaecological disorders
• Facial Paralysis
• Cervical Spondylosis
• Rheumatic diseases such as Arthritis and fibromyalgia
• Digestive issues
• Migraines
• Varicose veins
• Blood pressure
• Bronchial congestion caused by allergies and asthma
• Musculo-skeletal problems: pain, spasms, cramps, tightness, numbness, stiffness of the back and neck