Chinese cupping what is it

Traditional Chinese medicine brings to mind acupuncture and the use of natural herbs as healing remedies. Cupping is a lesser-known treatment that is also part of Oriental medicine, one that can provide an especially pleasant experience. One of the earliest documentations of cupping can be found in the work titled A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies , which was written by a Taoist herbalist by the name of Ge Hong and which dates all the way back to AD.

An even earlier Chinese documentation, three thousand years old, recommended cupping for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. In both Eastern and Western cultures, cupping evolved from shamanistic practices that held the belief that illnesses and infirmities can be sucked out of the body.

This article details some of the many benefits of Chinese cupping for your body. Prior to the s, cupping had also been practiced as an auxiliary method in traditional Chinese surgery.

In recent years cupping has been growing in popularity, with celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, David Arquette, and athlete Michael Phelps drawing public attention to the traditional benefits of Chinese cupping therapy techniques. Cupping is the term applied to a technique that uses small glass cups or bamboo jars as suction devices that are placed on the ski to disperse and break up stagnation and congestion by drawing congested blood, energy or other humors to the surface.

In dry cupping, the therapist will simply place the suction cups on the skin. In wet cupping, the practitioner will make a small incision on the skin and then apply the suction cup to draw out small amounts of blood. There are several ways that a practitioner can create the suction in the cups. One method involves swabbing rubbing alcohol onto the bottom of the cup, then lighting it and putting the cup immediately against the skin.

Suction can also be created by placing an inverted cup over a small flame, or by using an alcohol-soaked cotton pad over an insulating material like leather to protect the skin, then lighting the pad and placing an empty cup over the flame to extinguish it. Flames are never used near the skin and are not lit throughout the process of cupping, but rather are a means to create the heat that causes the suction within the small cups. Medical massage oils are sometimes applied to improve movement of the glass cups along the skin.

Cupping has been used to treat a wide variety of conditions. It may be particularly effective at easing conditions that create muscle aches and pains. Since the cups can also be applied to major acupressure points, the practice is possibly effective at treating digestive issues, skin issues, and other conditions commonly treated with acupressure.

The researchers found that cupping therapy may help with the following conditions, among others:. However, the authors acknowledge that most of the studies they reviewed contain a high level of bias.

More studies are needed to assess the true effectiveness of cupping. The side effects you may experience will typically occur during your treatment or immediately after. You may feel lightheaded or dizzy during your treatment. You may also experience sweating or nausea. After treatment, the skin around the rim of the cup may become irritated and marked in a circular pattern.

You may also have pain at incision sites or feel lightheaded or dizzy shortly after your session. Infection is always a risk after undergoing cupping therapy. The risk is small and usually avoided if your practitioner follows the right methods for cleaning your skin and controlling infection before and after your session.

Your practitioner should wear an apron, disposable gloves, and goggles or other eye protection. They should also use clean equipment and have regular vaccines to ensure protection against certain diseases, like hepatitis. If you experience any of these issues, consult your practitioner. They may offer remedies or steps you can take before your session in order to avoid any discomfort.

Your doctor may be cautious or uncomfortable with answering questions related to healing methods like cupping. Some CAM practitioners may be particularly enthusiastic about their methods, even suggesting you skip over conventional medical treatments advised by your doctor. But if you do choose to try cupping as part of your treatment plan, discuss your decision with your doctor.

The cups are then left on your skin for several minutes. Cupping became part of the mainstream conversation during the Summer Olympics, when swimmer Michael Phelps showed up to compete with round bruises covering his back.

In ancient times, it was used for lung conditions like bronchitis and pneumonia. And although it has soared in popularity recently, cupping has been around for thousands of years and traces its roots to ancient Chinese and Egyptian medicine. Cupping was documented in one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, Ebers Papyrus , which was written in BC.

The use of cupping has evolved, and today it's widely used for pain relief and musculoskeletal injuries, such as strains, sprains , back injuries , and inflammation. It is believed that the suction created by the cup encourages blood flow—and this increased circulation may promote healing and reduce pain. The primary side effects of cupping are bruising and skin irritation. As a licensed acupuncturist specializing in cupping, you are in demand virtually everywhere.

You choose to live wherever you like and practice in any health setting you wish. Additionally, you could travel regularly for work. Spas, resorts, cruise ships, and other settings are just some of the exciting places to pursue a career in acupuncture. Traditional clinical settings can be stuffy or ridden with bureaucracy, but working in a practice specializing in acupuncture has much more freedom. Running your own practice means you can set the vibe.

You have a world of opportunity as an acupuncturist, and one of the best opportunities is the chance to be your own boss.

You can build your own career from the bottom up, which can be very rewarding. Becoming a traditional medical doctor can take many years — four in medical school and then between three and seven years in residency. Most patients wish to alleviate their conditions with as few medications as possible. Others include:. Prospective employers look specialization when hiring new therapists, and AIAM can prepare you to showcase your capabilities with cupping.

You will also learn key business skills and professionalism, which set you up for a rewarding, long-lasting career as a licensed therapist.