What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping & How Does It Work?
Introduction
Cupping has been practiced as a modality in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. It was originally done using horns and sections of bamboo and has since evolved to cups made of glass, plastic and silicone. The goal when cupping is to create a negative pressure inside the cup which will cause the skin to be gently suctioned up inside. When using glass cups the negative pressure results from putting a flame inside the cup. Plastic cups come with a hand pump that suctions the skin up and with silicone cups; you press the cup down to suction up the skin.
Cupping in TCM is different from all other modalities that typically push into the skin because it focuses instead on pulling the skin up. It is working with the fascia under the surface of the skin, by increasing blood flow and encouraging the breakdown of any adhesions. In terms of TCM, cupping promotes the flow of qi & blood by unblocking the stagnation found along a meridian pathway.
What are the different types of cupping?
Glass Cups
A flame is used to remove the oxygen from the air inside the cup (a process called combustion), which causes a negative pressure and results in the skin being sucked up into the cup.
* It is important to know that this process is done before the cup comes anywhere near your body. I take an alcohol-soaked cotton ball in forceps and light it, then put the flame in and out of the cup and quickly transfer the cup to your skin. When the cup is placed you may feel a warm sensation as well as some pressure but it should never be painful. The amount of pressure can always be adjusted to ensure you are comfortable.
Plastic Cups
When using plastic pump cups, a hand pump is used to create the suction. This is great because it allows the practitioner to have a lot of control in how much pressure is being created. These cups can also come with small probes that fit inside the cup and can apply pressure to a specific acupuncture point.
Silicone Cups
This type of cup is very commonly used because they mold to the body well, which makes them easier to slide around and attach to uneven surfaces such as your neck and bony joints. When using silicone cups, pressing down on the cup creates the suction.
Moving Cupping
Before the cups are applied to the skin, the skin is well lubricated using oil. This allows the cups to slide across the skin and treat a larger area of the body. This type of cupping is commonly done on the back.
Stationary
Several cups are placed on the skin and left for several minutes. This encourages any fascial adhesions to release in a specific area on the body.
Flash
The cups are quickly placed and released from the skin repeatedly over the same area. This is commonly done with fire cups and used to treat respiratory conditions.
What Are The Benefits Of Cupping & When Would It Be Used?
From a TCM perspective, the benefit of cupping is that it stimulates the flow of qi & blood along the meridians, which breaks up any stagnation that is causing an imbalance within the body. It is also said that cupping detoxifies by drawing toxins up to the surface of the skin. This can be seen by the skin becoming purple or red after a treatment.
#1 – Relieving Pain & Improving Recovery Time
Cupping is very commonly used to treat pain & tension, especially in the neck, shoulders & back. The increase in blood flow helps release fascial adhesions or “knots”, which decreases pain and increases mobility and flexibility. It can also be used to treat pain conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as pain caused by physical activity or an injury. Cupping can also provide migraine and headache relief for headaches & migraines caused by tension in the neck and upper back.
It is also common for athletes to use cupping to prevent injuries and improve recovery time because cupping helps maintain mobility and can release muscles that are chronically tight.
#2 – Reducing Stress & Emotional Tension
As we all know, stress & other emotional imbalances can physically manifest in the body, most commonly in the neck, back & shoulders. Cupping provides a physical release for the fascia and muscles in these areas, which can result in an emotional release as well. In TCM, the whole body is connected through the meridian system, so releasing stagnation in one pathway can have a profound effect all throughout the body. This helps treat conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia.
#3 – Reducing Congestion in the Lungs
Thousands of years ago, cupping was originally used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis and is still commonly used to treat respiratory conditions today. Cupping on the upper back can help loosen excess phlegm in the lungs which helps relieve cough, wheezing & chest congestion caused by respiratory infections or allergies.
Other Benefits:
- Supports the Immune System
- Treating Skin Conditions & Promoting Facial Rejuvenation
- Improves Digestive Health
- Treating Gynecological Concerns
Does Cupping Hurt?
In general, cupping should be a comfortable, enjoyable experience. An experienced practitioner should be able to adjust the level of suction to a point where it is not painful and is still providing a therapeutic effect. The body does it’s best healing when it is relaxed so it is important to give your practitioner feedback about the level of suction to get the best results. It is possible for the skin to be tender and some marks to be left for a couple days following treatment.
Is Cupping Safe?
In general, cupping is very safe when done by a trained practitioner but there are some instances when cupping should be avoided or practiced with caution. It is important to inform your practitioner if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are using blood thinner so modifications can be made. You should never have cupping done over broken, sunburned or swollen skin.