
Cupping (or fire cupping, as it is sometimes called) is a treatment commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for stimulation of the muscles or for pain syndromes. Small jars in the form of glass, bamboo, or plastic are suctioned onto the back creating a vacuum thus stimulating and increasing circulation so as to remove pain and balance out the body.
How does cupping work?
If using glass jars: a vacuum is created by heating the inside of the cup with a flame and then placing the cup onto the back about 1-2 inches parallel to the spine in a vertical formation. As the air cools and pressure changes within the cup, the skin rises with the suction creating a stimulating and circulating affect.
If using bamboo jars: similar to the glass jars, but the intensity of the suction may be reduced due to the lightness of bamboo.
If using plastic jars: a pump is connected to the jar itself and air vacuumed out of the jar to form suction into the skin.
Any form of oil – baby oil, jojoba, almond, olive, can be used on the skin prior to cupping, and will create a better seal to form around the rim of the cupping jar. When using such oils, the practitioner can then slide the cups up and down the back creating a “massaging” affect that is quite relaxing.
While cupping will often times leave purple and red “hicky” marks, it is generally not painful. The markings that are created with cupping are due to an injury or trauma that never healed and left the muscles tense, tight and “stagnated”.
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