The application of cupping for the treatment of diseases already knew the doctors of antiquity (Egypt, Mesopotamia). In traditional Chinese medicine, cupping has been used for thousands of years. According to the ancient theory of juices, the body fluids get out of balance due to diseases and must be rebalanced with the help of cupping.
What is cupping?
Cupping is a traditional therapeutic procedure of alternative medicine. It is intended to help with various ailments, acute and chronic pain, and to prevent disease. Cupping is a traditional therapeutic procedure of alternative medicine. It is intended to help with various complaints, acute and chronic pain, as well as for the prevention of diseases. Depending on the medical indication, one of the three cupping techniques (dry or bloody cupping as well as cupping massage) is used. The cupping heads are spherical vessels of different sizes made of glass, whose circular openings are placed on the skin. Since about 2000, vessels made of biocompatible silicone have usually been applied instead of the traditional glass suction cups. The negative pressure is increased or decreased by means of a vacuum pump or a rubber ball. The advantage of modern cupping cups is that they can even be used to treat difficult or hardly accessible skin regions. In classical cupping, the air in the 6 to 10 jars is heated with the help of burning cotton balls. When put on, they immediately absorb and cool on the skin. Cold can also be applied during dry cupping. Various clinical studies have proven the effectiveness of traditional drainage therapy, especially for neck tension, carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis of the knee joint. According to traditional Chinese medicine, which has also known the treatment method for thousands of years, the application of the glasses releases blockages within the body, allowing the life energy (chi) to flow freely again, thus alleviating illness and pain. Cupping (especially bloody cupping), should under no circumstances be performed by the patient himself. It is also advisable to discuss the desire for such treatment with the attending physician beforehand. Cupping is often done together with other natural healing procedures.
Function, effect and goals
During cupping, the previously heated glasses are placed on the skin area to be treated with the opening facing downward. The negative pressure created by this or by an additional suction device triggers a specific reaction in the affected area or via the cutivisceral reflex in the organ associated with the area. In addition, the negative pressure later leaves a clearly visible hematoma that fades after a few days. In bloody (wet) cupping, the attachment site is first disinfected and lightly incised with a lancet. A little blood is then drawn off by applying the cupping head. The method is often used for acute severe pain. It is also used to remove harmful substances and tissue waste via the lymphatic fluid. The blood is thinned, its flow velocity is increased. The metabolism is stimulated. Dry cupping is done when the patient has severe pain and chronic diseases. It has also proven to be a preventive measure. The skin area is better supplied with blood, the immune system is stimulated. With the help of cupping massage or suction massage, additional massage effects are achieved. The skin area is rubbed with a massage oil or a blood circulation-promoting cupping ointment. Then the alternative practitioner or doctor places the special plastic glass cupping head with rounded edge and rubber ball on the skin. By moving back and forth the skin blood circulation is strongly stimulated. The health-promoting effect of such a treatment is even stronger than with conventional massage. Cupping releases tension and relieves pain by creating a counter stimulus. Blood vessels are dilated, lymph drainage is stimulated. Muscles and skin tissue are better supplied with blood, oxygen and nutrients. In case of stress, cupping has a relaxing and decongesting effect, and in case of severe fatigue, it has an invigorating effect. In the treated area there is up to 250% increased number of white blood cells, which remove bacteria and tissue debris from inflamed areas.Cupping is mostly done on the back, as all reflex zones are located there. They are connected to the corresponding organs via stimulation lines. Ideal cupping points are also skin elevations, dents in the epidermis and skin hardening: They are symptoms of dysfunction. However, cupping should not be applied to bones, parts of the cervical spine, wounds, warts, skin rashes, moles, sunburn, varicose veins and acute inflammations. Areas of application of traditional elimination therapy are: Headache to migraine, rheumatic diseases, lumbago, sciatica, hypertension and hypotension, chronic respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and asthma, knee and intervertebral disc diseases, carpal tunnel syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary problems, colds with fever, depression and nervous exhaustion. In these cases, cupping can relieve the diseases and also help prevent them.
Risks, side effects and dangers
Usually, cupping is well tolerated. However, it should not be used for certain diseases. Cupping should not be applied to tumors, sunburned skin areas, fresh wounds and burned skin areas. In addition, patients with tuberculosis, anemia, diabetes mellitus, blood coagulation disorders, coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, cancer, dehydration, tendency to fainting, skin inflammation, and irradiated skin (cancer treatment) should refrain from treatment. The same applies to women during pregnancy and menstruation. Bloody cupping is contraindicated if the patient needs to take anticoagulants, has recently undergone surgery, or has a blood disorder. People with very sensitive skin may experience scarring due to the intense heat of the cupping glasses. Excessive pressure can possibly cause blisters. Bloody cupping sometimes causes scarring and, in certain cases, wound healing problems.
