Cupping Therapy

Also known as Vacuum Cupping or Myofascial Decompression, Cupping therapy is a soft tissue treatment technique utilized to manipulate the skin and fascial tissue. Using suction, the cups have the ability to grab and lift the fascia that may allow for lymphatic drainage of toxins, as well as stretching the fascial tissue. By using the appropriate cup size for the anatomical area being treated, there can be some relief of a deep fascial adhesion and allow for the muscle alone to move free of restriction. Recently researchers have found that cupping therapy could alter skin blood flow, change the biomechanical properties of the skin, increase pressure pain thresholds in the neck and reduce inflammation. Cupping therapy is becoming a mainstream intervention for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction in sport. The mechanism by which cupping therapy exerts its beneficial effects is not completely understood, however some researchers suggest that placement of cups on selected acupoints on the skin produces hyperemia or hemostasis, which results in a therapeutic effect and that cupping therapy is of potential benefit for treating pain and helping to increase tissue flexibility and range of motion.

History

Cupping is a treatment that has been used for a number of ailments for thousands of years. Over the centuries, cupping techniques and styles have often been influenced by their geographical location, as well as by the materials used in that area: animal horns, bamboo, ceramic, glass, metal, and plastic have all been used in this procedure found in Ancient Egyptian, Chinese, Unani, Korean, Tibetan, and Latin American cultures, whose purpose has been to assist the body in self-healing. Eber's papyrus (1550 BCE) is the first documented instance of this therapy in North Africa. A cup refers to the Egyptian glyph for doctor. According to Ge Hong (281-341 CE), animal horns were used to drain body fluids in Asia during the Jin dynasty. Additionally, it was popular during the Greek Bronze era, when bronze cups were used.

As prescribed by Al-Qanun Fi'l-Tibb, Canon of Medicine (1025 CE), cups are often used to treat conditions related to menstruation in Arabic and Islamic countries. It is reported that Prophet Muhammed used it and advocated its use.

According to Galen, the principle of indication for blood lenting is to eliminate residues or divert blood from one part to another.

The Daoist model of holism informs the practice of cupping and other similar therapies in Chinese medicine.

Since Chinese medicinal researchers focus on observable principles of balance examined in living bodies, their traditional medicine practices are considered “alternative” by the dominant medical systems, despite having been practiced for centuries in cultures and countries around the world.

Modern Cupping as western based cupping uses the plastic, silicon or glass cups with a vacuum seal to influence the myofascial tissue physiology.