Cupping Therapy
Cupping employs negative pressure — rather than tissue compression — to release rigid soft tissue, drain excess fluids and toxins, loosen adhesions, lift connective tissue, and bring blood flow to skin and muscles. Another benefit of negative pressure is that it really feels great. It's not unusual to fall asleep during a treatment.
The cup is first positioned over the affected area. A vacuum is created by reducing the pressure inside the cup, therefore stretching the underlying tissues into it. This pulls stagnation out of tissues and brings it to the skin's surface. The pores expand, discharging wastes and toxins. The rest is then more accessible to the body's circulatory and lymphatic systems where it can be properly flushed out.
Cupping is used to relieve back and neck pains, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism, and even cellulite. It has remarkable effects on chronic gastric disorders and on the digestive system as a whole. The pulling power of low pressure upon the belly stimulates the organs, their peristaltic movement and secretion of digestive fluids.
It has also been used extensively for asthma and pneumonia. Pain relief is quick, and restrictions can be released in one or a few treatments.
The most common (and unfortunate) misconception concerning cupping are the marks that can result. These discolorations are not bruises. The Western term is "petechia" — a slight subcutaneous discharge of blood from the vessels. Petechia doesn't represent capillary rupture.
The discoloration fades from hours up to two weeks, depending on the amount of stagnation. The length of time it takes to fade indicates the severity and toxicity of the patient's condition. As treatments accumulate, marks will occur less and less.