Cupping your pain through ‘CUPPING’ therapy. The Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine to relieve the body pain.
The human body is a myriad of maladies. It faces various changes regularly and is subjected to a lot of aggression. It is this body which justifies us as humans. So, in a way, it becomes our responsibility to take care of the physical being in which we live. Centuries ago, there were ways which dealt with the bodily disorders. Though not considered as a proper medication, they were techniques and homemade ways to relieve the body pain. Amongst them there was one technique that helped the patients a lot. This technique got its origins from the ancient lands of China and was based around the traditional Chinese scriptures. Though the method had various colloquial names, it was and is renowned as Cupping. This therapy is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and revolves around the release of Qi (chi). Qi is the free flow of energy circulating throughout the body and the world around us. If this Qi is blocked or hindered, then it can lead to stagnation or imbalances of the body.
How Does Cupping Work?
The Cupping therapy involves the placement of warmed up cups, usually made of glass, on the skin. The reason for warming the cup is that it creates a vacuum. When the cup is attached to the surface, this vacuum helps the tissue to get drawn up into the cup. This helps in increasing the blood flow and loosens the fascia. The fascia is also known as connective tissue, and as Cupping helps in relaxing the tissue, it is known to stimulate healing.
The cups are primarily placed on the back, neck, and shoulders or on the site where pain occurs. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cupping induces bruises on the body, and this is a sign which implies that the treatment has successfully removed the toxins and blockages. The cups are removed by lifting one edge. This allows the air to go in and break the seal and the vacuum.
Types of Cupping
The various types of Cupping depend upon the treatment aims of the acupuncturist. An acupuncturist is one who deals with neurological and bodily disorders through Traditional Chinese Medicine. Most commonly the cups are made out of glass. But centuries ago, the original cups were made out of bamboo, clay or animal horns.
1.The classic cupping technique of the Chinese is known as the Ba guan zi. Ba guan zi is mandarin for fire or dry Cupping. In this technique, the cups are placed over the area of pain for five to twenty minutes. The duration depends upon the patient’s condition. A general course consists of five to six sessions, starting from three to ten-day gaps.
2.Another technique is the Sliding cups technique. This technique is generally performed on large muscle groups of the back and acts against the spasms. Massage oil is applied before the cups are placed, which allows the cups to slide easily over the body.
3.Air cupping is another technique which is renowned as an alternative to fire cupping. A handheld suction pump is used to remove the air from the cups without manually heating it. This technique is less painful and is favored by the patients.
4.A prevalent but unorthodox type of Cupping is also prevalent among the patients. It is known as Wet Cupping and is generally used by practitioners for cooling the inflammations. A lancet is used to prick the skin before the cups are placed, and it allows a small amount of blood to flow from the area. This treatment aims at removing the internal toxins.
Benefits of Cupping
The benefits of Cupping are many. However, the technique mainly aims at local pain relief and relaxation of the muscles. Traditional Chinese Medicine reveals that it is the stagnation of blood qi that result in the pain of local areas and muscles. Cupping invigorates the flow of this vital energy and helps in improving the cell to cell communication. It also helps to remove energy blockages and reduces the pain faster.
Many renowned athletes opt for cupping rather than going for expensive treatments involving pills and sprays. Cupping is also known to have been used to treat lung disorders like bronchitis and asthma. It also helps in reducing anxiety, depression, varicose veins, and blood pressure. So, in a world where advanced medicines are gaining pace, Cupping still has its name and fame maintained.
Dr. Azim Ahamed Roy,Ayush Health Clinic
#15, 2nd Floor, 2nd Block,
2nd Stage 12th Main,
Opp. Rajajinagar RTO,
2nd Block,
Rajajinagar, Bengaluru – 560010
Ph : ++918970934699
