A Complete Guide to Understanding Cupping Therapy

• Written by Leena Khowal

  Reviewed by Ritika Malik

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Cupping therapy has garnered significant attention. Whether you are curious about its benefits, wish to understand how it works, or seek to know what cupping therapy is, this is the appropriate place for you. In this blog, we will delve into exploring cupping therapy, examining its methods and potential benefits. From ancient practices to contemporary benefits, let us proceed to discuss the details of cupping therapy.

What Is Cupping Therapy? 

Cupping therapy is a treatment where heated cups create suction on the skin. It's mainly used in Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America as an alternative to medicines. However, there is no substantial evidence that it actually provides health benefits, whereas some people consider it unscientific.

Cupping practitioners claim it can help with many issues, such as fevers, chronic lower back pain, poor appetite, indigestion, high blood pressure, acne, skin conditions, anemia, stroke recovery, nasal congestion, infertility, and menstrual cramps.

Despite these claims, there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that cupping is beneficial for these conditions. While it is generally safe for most people, specific methods, such as wet cupping and fire cupping, can still pose health risks. In rare cases, this has led to legal trouble for parents who take their children for cupping therapy. Common side effects can also be seen, which include bruising and skin discoloration, which can sometimes be confused for signs of child abuse.

Benefits Of Cupping Therapy

It's not entirely clear how cupping helps relieve pain and treat illnesses, but several theories exist. There haven't been many scientific studies conducted on cupping.

A 2015 report in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine mentioned that cupping may help alleviate symptoms of acne, shingles, and pain management. However, the researchers noted that many of the studies they examined may have biases, and further research is needed.

Cupping therapy is used for various issues, including:

• Blood disorders like anemia and hemophilia
• Rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia
• Fertility and gynecological problems
• Skin issues like eczema and acne
• Back pain and other types of body aches
• High blood pressure
• Migraines
• Anxiety and depression
• Bronchial congestion from allergies and asthma
• Varicose veins

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states there isn’t enough high-quality research to confirm if cupping is effective for all these conditions.

Pain Management

Regarding pain management, the "pain-gate" theory suggests that the pressure and touch from cupping stimulate large nerve fibers, which helps block pain messages sent to the brain. This blocking occurs in the spinal cord, so activating these nerve fibers can reduce pain. 

Does it work? A 2023 review of various studies found that cupping appeared to be beneficial for chronic pain, knee osteoarthritis, lower back pain, neck pain, chronic back pain, and shingles. However, most of these studies were of low to moderate quality. Generally, experts believe cupping should support conventional medicine rather than replace it.

Acne 

For acne, the immune system theory suggests that cupping can lower inflammation and boost the immune system. It may also enhance the body's antioxidant processes, which could help with skin conditions. One study from Iran compared two groups: one received acne medicine with wet cupping, while the other received acne medicine with "sham cupping" (a device that simulated cupping but was ineffective). The group that got the wet cupping showed more improvement.

Acupuncture

Some people combine cupping with acupuncture, known as "needle cupping." In this method, the therapist first places acupuncture needles and then puts cups over them. The idea is that cupping relaxes the muscles while the needles help relieve pain. One study found that ear acupuncture combined with cupping was more effective for treating chronic back pain than using ear acupuncture alone.

How does Cupping Therapy work?

Modern suction devices are sometimes preferred over traditional cups for cupping therapy. This method involves placing a cup on the skin and creating a partial vacuum, either by heating and cooling the air inside the cup or using a mechanical pump. The cup is typically left on the skin for 5 to 15 minutes.

Cupping therapy can be classified in several ways:

• The first one is based on the technique used, which includes dry, wet, massage, and cupping with a flash. 
• The second type focuses on the strength of suction, including light, medium, and strong cupping. 
• The third type is based on how the suction is created, such as fire, manual, or electrical cupping. The fourth type considers the materials inside the cups, which can include herbs, water, ozone, moxa, needles, or magnets.

 Additional categories have emerged, including areas being treated, such as facial, abdominal, female, male, and orthopedic cupping. There are also specific types for activities such as sports and aquatic cupping.

 Cups can be made from a variety of materials, including glass, plastic, bamboo, horn, copper, and bronze.

Methods

Cupping therapy can be performed using several techniques, each designed to target specific health concerns and levels of intensity. Below are the different methods of cupping therapy:

• Dry Cupping: This technique involves placing a heated cup on areas such as the back, chest, abdomen, or buttocks. It creates a suction effect when the air in the surroundings cools. Bamboo and other materials can be used as alternatives to glass cups.
• Fire Cupping: In this method, a cotton ball soaked in nearly pure alcohol is lit and quickly placed in the cup before being applied to the skin. The flame heats the air, and when it cools, it creates a negative pressure that pulls the skin up. Massage oil can be used to help the cups move smoothly on the skin. Sometimes, dark circles appear on the skin due to small blood vessels breaking, and there have been cases of burns.
• Wet Cupping: Also known as hijama or cupping, this technique involves drawing blood from the skin through minor cuts using suction. It is said to have been practiced since ancient times and is especially popular in the Muslim world. In Finland, wet cupping has been done since the 15th century, often in saunas, using cattle horns to create the suction.

The points chosen for both wet and dry cupping vary depending on the individual's pain and issues. Treatment plans are flexible and can be tailored to meet each person's specific needs.

>>Read More: Know The Hidden Power of Acupressure Therapy

Final Words

As with any treatment, consulting a professional is essential to understanding how cupping can fit into your wellness journey. Additionally, purchasing a Health Insurance Plan provides you with coverage for consultations and treatments.

Cupping therapy, with its roots in traditional practices, offers a range of potential benefits to individuals seeking alternative or complementary therapies. From improving circulation to easing muscle tension, the advantages of cupping treatment are worth exploring. If you're curious about its mechanisms or considering trying it out, cupping therapy remains a topic of interest in holistic wellness circles. 

Disclaimer: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.