Chinese cupping may sound new to many. Unlike its more renowned contemporaries like acupuncture and acupressure, our idea of cups perhaps is limited to spending a quiet afternoon tea to our delight or simply for decoration purposes. Little did we know that cups are also being used as an alternative form of eastern medicine called Chinese cupping.
Good thing, the concept of Yin and Yang energies is not foreign to our ears. The principle, as what Chinese people believe, is simple: have these positive and negative energies maintain equilibrium in a person’s body, optimum functioning and health will follow. But in case of disruption in the balance, expect sickness and malfunctioning.
Chinese cupping aims to restore, if not maintain, this balance. But how does cupping heal?
Chinese cupping makes use of glass or plastic cups that creates a vacuum via suction or heat. Once placed at the area of concern – most often at the neck, back, or shoulders, it creates a suction that sucks out harmful toxins, and relieve tensions in the muscles and nerves.
Commonly, two rows of 8-12 glasses are used (with the spine separating the row) and these are left in the area for 5-20 minutes.
Large blister-like red marks are formed by the vacuum and these are thought to be the dead, stagnant blood, and damp toxins which lie underneath the tissues and cells and that have been moved from deep tissues to the surface. This promotes localized blood circulation on the underlying tissues and therefore healing.
The red marks resolve within days to a week depending on the blood stagnation in the area. If good circulation and no toxin is present, the marks disappear within a few minutes. Contrary to popular belief, Chinese cupping is generally not painful, and is actually done to provide relaxation and pain relief. However, it must be done of course by somebody who is trained to do the technique.
Essential oils are also applied to the skin before the cups are placed, so that the glass vessels will slide across the back, imitating a massage that will provide further relaxation called gliding.
Chinese cupping, tagged as the best tissue massage available, is recommended for respiratory symptoms or disorders like cough and mild chest tightness, as it is thought to strengthen the body’s anti-virus producing capacity, eases pain and provides comfort. It is also said to be effective for arthritis relief and helps activate blood vessels and skin, clear stretch marks and improve varicose veins.
History has witnessed how this traditional medicine and ancient Chinese technique has survived and served humankind until the present time. Chinese cupping being a traditional therapy that is now globally accepted, scientifically proven and medically supervised, it definitely deserves the recognition other eastern complementary medicines in the same vein like herbs, acupressure, and acupuncture and other eastern therapies have been receiving.
In the absence of scientific approach or ineffective medical interventions, trying Chinese cupping to relieve pain and provide comfort won’t hurt. Its use can’t just be ignored. Chinese cupping is really worth a try.
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