Cupping
History of Cupping
Cupping is the oldest and most globally practiced medical treatment in human history. Most cultures can produce historical evidence that some variation of Cupping was used regularly in their medical histories.
Suction Therapy was used by various indigenous tribes in Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands and the Americans. The very earliest instrument used was a gourd, from this fruit derived the Latin name for Cupping - 'Cucurbitula'
This evolved into the use of animal horns, usually water buffalo or the American Bison, were hollowed out with a hole at one end so the air could be sucked out. The vacuum drained toxins out of snakebites, pustules, infections and skin lesions, removing blood, pus and poisons from the body.
Suction Therapy was used by various indigenous tribes in Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands and the Americans. The very earliest instrument used was a gourd, from this fruit derived the Latin name for Cupping - 'Cucurbitula'
This evolved into the use of animal horns, usually water buffalo or the American Bison, were hollowed out with a hole at one end so the air could be sucked out. The vacuum drained toxins out of snakebites, pustules, infections and skin lesions, removing blood, pus and poisons from the body.
How Cupping Works
Cupping creates a negative pressure above the surface of the body's tissues that allows the tissues to be lifted upwards instead of compressed. Cupping pulls stagnation out of the tissues and brings it to the skin level. The pores expand discharging some of these wastes and toxins, the rest is then more accessible to the body's circulatory and lymphatic systems where it can be properly flushed out. In addition, cupping brings fresh, revitalized blood to stagnant areas. The suction of the cups releases tight. congested muscles by pulling them up and away from underlying structures, loosening areas of adhesion and restrictions, and retrains the myofascial structures.
In just a few minutes, rigid, aching muscles soften quickly, the secretion of synovial fluid is released into stiff joints, it causes tissues to expand increasing the blood flow to the area, raises skin temperature promoting metabolism within the skin tissue for better functioning of sweat and sebaceous glands, flushing capillary beds, draining stagnant blood, toxins and lymph, and re-supplying tissues with vital nutrients.
Cupping can be incorporated during a massage treatment and used as a great tool. When used with massage and not left in one place for an extended period of time, 'discolourations' are rare, for those clients not wanting them.
In just a few minutes, rigid, aching muscles soften quickly, the secretion of synovial fluid is released into stiff joints, it causes tissues to expand increasing the blood flow to the area, raises skin temperature promoting metabolism within the skin tissue for better functioning of sweat and sebaceous glands, flushing capillary beds, draining stagnant blood, toxins and lymph, and re-supplying tissues with vital nutrients.
Cupping can be incorporated during a massage treatment and used as a great tool. When used with massage and not left in one place for an extended period of time, 'discolourations' are rare, for those clients not wanting them.
Benefits of Cupping Therapy
Effects on the Skin
- Withdraw's stagnant blood from the skin and removes toxins
- Accelerates the secretion of salts
- Expands the blood vessels of the skin, causing an increase of:
- Blood circulation
- Skin temperature
- Metabolism within the skins tissues
- Functioning of sweat and sebaceous glands
- Nutrition supply to the tissues
Effects on Muscles
- Expands blood vessels within the muscles increasing blood flow and removes congestion in joints, attachments and other musculoskeletal structures
- Increases the excretion of lactic acids and toxins from within the muscles and surrounding structures
- Post-Cupped muscles maintain increased temperature and fluid facilitation for much longer.
Effects on the Circulatory System
- Cupping cleanses the blood of wastes and toxins which improves overall circulation. Good circulation is paramount to optimal health
- Dramatically improves the circulation of lymph making waste removal more efficient
- Purifies the blood by removing dead debris, increasing red and white blood cell activity and neutralizing the body's PH
- Beneficial for hardened arteries by gently stretching and breaking up micro adhesions that contribute to the rigidity of the arterial walls
Effects on the Nervous System
- The gentle pulling action stimulates the sensory nerves of the skin
- Treatment of the paraspinal nerves has a powerful effect on the autonomic nervous system and the organs under its control
- Effective for general malaise, depression, headaches, anxiety, body pain, fatigue, neuralgia, rheumatism.
Effects on the Joints
- The stretching and pulling of the connective structures allow a much greater range of movement, opens up the joint capsule to loosen and release stagnation which compounds the general compaction and stiffness often associated with stubborn and orthopedic conditions
- Disorganized fascia structures can be directly restructured to further support the healing process
- Increases blood and lymph activity with the joint as well as stimulating the secretion of synovial fluids
Receiving Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy can feel mildly uncomfortable or very relaxing, depending on the individual. People often report that the effects of cupping last much longer than other treatments. When used in a series of treatments the results are cumulative, but even after a single treatment, a long-term physical issue may be resolved!
Post-Effects of Cupping
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