Introduction:

Cupping therapy is a very old form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including helping with pain, inflammation, to increase blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.

Cupping is also called as Hijama in Arabic, is an ancient, holistic method for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Though the exact origin of cupping therapy is a matter of debate, its use has been acknowledged in early Egyptian and Chinese medical practices. Diverse human civilizations have contributed to the historical development and continuation of cupping therapy.

Types of cupping:

There are different methods of cupping, including:

• Dry
• Wet.

The method:

During both types of cupping, your therapist will put a flammable substance such as alcohol, herbs, or paper in a cup and set it on fire. As the fire goes out, they put the cup upside down on your skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a vacuum. This causes your skin to rise and redden as your blood vessels expand. The cup is generally left in place for up to 3 minutes.

A more modern version of cupping uses a rubber pump instead of fire to create the vacuum inside the cup. Sometimes therapists use silicone cups, which they can move from place to place on your skin for a massage-like effect.

Wet cupping is a variation of the procedure where prior to the cup being placed, your skin is punctured and blood is drawn out in the suction process.

Wet cupping creates a mild suction by leaving a cup in place for about 3 minutes. The therapist then removes the cup and uses a small scalpel to make light, tiny cuts on your skin. Next, they do a second suction to draw out a small quantity of blood…

Cupping is useful in many diseases:

• Herpes Zoster
• Acne
• Facial paralysis
• Cervical spondylosis
• Blood disorders such as anemia
• Rheumatic diseases, arthritis and fibromyalgia
• Fertility and  gynecological disorders
• Skin problems, such as eczema and acne.
• High Blood pressure
• Migraines
• Anxiety and depression
• Bronchial congestion caused by allergies and asthma
• Varicose veins

Side Effects

Cupping is fairly safe, as long as you go to a trained health professional. But you could have these side effects in the area where the cups touch your skin:

• Mild discomfort
• Burns
• Bruises
• Skin infection

Conclusion:

It is an interesting mode of therapy but it is always better to talk with your doctor before you start cupping or any other type of alternative or complementary medicine. It is also better to talk extensively with your cupping therapist, too, before you try it.