What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine that took root with ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. During cupping therapy, a therapist places specialized cups on the skin for several minutes to create suction. Cupping has many benefits, including alleviating pain and inflammation, relaxing tense muscles, aiding in blood flow and relaxation, and relieving chronic pain such as fatigue, migraines, and arthritis.
The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping loosens muscles and encourages blood flow, lessening swelling or tension occurring in soft tissue. However, it is also incredibly detoxifying. While your lymphatic system naturally filters toxins to effectively remove them from the body, oftentimes fat-soluble toxins from your environment, diet, and chemical additives remain trapped in the tissue.
Cupping allows for the stretching and opening of soft tissue, creating space for toxins to drain from the cells. In this way, cupping enhances the body’s natural detoxification process to manually manipulate the soft tissue so that toxins can be moved from your fat cells and into the naturally cleansing lymphatic system.
How Does Cupping Therapy Work?
Cupping can be performed in a variety of ways. Cups can be made of glass, bamboo, stoneware, or silicone. Generally, your treatment provider will use three to five cups on your skin throughout your first few sessions. As your body becomes more accustomed to the treatment they may increase the number of cups to seven. Or, you your doctor may simply apply one cup to your skin. It depends on your unique needs, medical condition, and your body’s reaction and sensitivity. When you schedule a session for cupping therapy near you, your doctor will go over your options and ask a series of questions to determine the best course of treatment.
Prior to treatment, your therapist will apply an oil or similarly textured substance to the area that will be treated. This is to aid the motion of the cup.
Stagnant or Dynamic Cupping
Traditionally, your therapist would place a flammable substance such as alcohol, paper, or herbs in the cup and set it on fire. As the fire extinguished, they would place the cup upside down on your skin. As the air inside the cup cooled, it would create a vacuum. Today, modern cupping tends to use a rubber pump as opposed to fire to create the vacuum. This vacuum causes the skin underneath the cup to rise and redden as the blood cells expand. The cup is then left on the skin for three to ten minutes. This is referred to as stagnant cupping.
Dynamic cupping follows a similar process, except as opposed to leaving the cup on one area of the skin, the therapist creates suction within the cup and then continuously moves it across the back. This would be your preferred choice if the Michael Phelps spots leave you weary – dynamic cupping will slightly redden the skin during treatment but will not leave red rings like stagnant cupping will.
Dry Cupping
Aside from stagnant or dynamic cupping, ChiroCare of Florida offers dry cupping. Dry cupping follows the previously mentioned process, with the cup remaining on the skin, either moving or suctioned to one spot.
Who Can Benefit from Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy can be beneficial for just about everyone. The pressure provided by cupping can effectively relieve pain that accompanies conditions such as:
- Spondylosis, or wear and tear on the spinal discs
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraines
- Anxiety and depression
- Muscle tension or fatigue
- Back and neck pain
- Inflammation
Plus, cupping can help remove toxins present within the body. Even abiding by a healthy lifestyle can still result in toxins, whether they be from the environment or from diet. Cupping helps to remove these toxins and catalyze your body’s natural detoxification process, helping to regulate the body’s nervous and digestive systems.
Likewise, if you are wondering “where can I find cupping therapy near me,” and are curious as to whether or not it will benefit you, the treatment also helps those who are:
- Physically active in the gym or with sports
- Recovering from an injury
- Living an active lifestyle
- Operating at a high-intensity job
The increase of blood flow encouraged by cupping can not only promote healing, but also speed the recovery process. Often, cupping therapy is part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include physical therapy, electronic stimulation, or cryotherapy to relieve pain from injuries and help you recover more quickly.
What Are the Risks of Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy holds little to no risks. However, if you’re currently taking blood thinners or have trouble with bleeding, clotting, or an open wound, the suction-effect of cupping would not be recommended. Likewise, avoid cupping on areas of delicate skin or if you are pregnant.
As a general rule, cancer patients should avoid cupping therapy as well. As cupping opens the muscles to promote cell movement, you do not want to stimulate the movement of cancer cells from one area to another. Instead, those currently undergoing cancer treatment should look into less invasive therapies, such as acupuncture.
Is Cupping Therapy Otherwise Safe?
If you are not an at-risk patient with the above health conditions, and are looking for cupping therapy near you, know that the medical community does consider the treatment to be safe.
However, it is essential that you do not attempt cupping therapy on your own and that you only receive treatment from a professional. Your treatment provider should be properly trained and licensed in the practice. Seeking treatment from a provider that is not a medical professional can pose a danger and can make the ailments you are trying to address worse.
What to Expect During Cupping Therapy
Many people wonder if cupping therapy hurts. Some patients do report feeling a brief sensation in more sensitive areas, though the pain is mild and not long lasting. Some individuals even refer to it as “good pain.”
However, most patients report that it does not hurt at all. This makes cupping therapy an excellent option for treating injuries or aches and pains. It is likely that you will feel the suction on your skin as the cups create a vacuum.
How to Prepare for Your First Appointment
After you complete your online searches for “cupping therapy near me,” and schedule your first appointment, you will want to know how to prepare for your office visit. When you call ChiroCare of Florida, our team will give you basic instructions over the phone and provide you with tips.
We may ask a series of health related questions to ensure you are a proper candidate and request that you bring specific medical records with you if you have them. We do this to ensure that you get the best treatment possible.
Make sure that you wear loose fitting clothing to your appointment, as your doctor will be working directly with your skin. You may be asked to remove or adjust certain parts of your clothing so that the doctor has clear access to the area.
Side Effects of Cupping Therapy
There are side effects of cupping therapy, that can last anywhere from a few days to a little more than a week. The most common side effects include bruising or skin discoloration in the area the cups were applied.
If you experience extreme side effects such as a spreading skin rash, lasting pain or burning, dizziness, swelling, excessive sweating or nausea, contact your medical provider right away. These side effects are rare but do require medical attention.
Get Back to Feeling Your Best
While cupping therapy might not exactly win you the gold, it might have you feeling like an Olympian. From detoxifying to alleviating pain and promoting healing, cupping therapy can get you back to feeling your best.
ChiroCare’s Locations for Cupping Treatment
Contact ChiroCare of Florida today to make an appointment for cupping therapy at an office near you.
Cupping is available at these South Florida locations:
