History of Cupping
Cupping developed over time from the original use of hollowed animal horns to drain toxins out of snakebites and skin lesions. Horns evolved into bamboo cups, which were eventually replaced by glass. Therapeutic applications evolved with the refinement of the cup itself, and with the cultures that employed cupping as a health care technique. The true origin of cupping therapy remains in obscurity.
The Chinese expanded the utilization to include use in surgery to divert blood flow from the surgery site. Cupping eventually developed into a separate therapy, with healers treating a variety of conditions. Early written records date from 28 AD, and a traditional Chinese saying indicates "acupuncture and cupping, more than half the ills cured". Chinese medicine observes that cupping dispels stagnation of Blood and Chi, along with external pathogenic factors that invade a weakened constitution. A depleted constitution is often a result of depleted "Jing Chi", or original essence. This will often progress to a weakened "Wei Chi", or defense (immune system).
The Egyptians produced a text on ancient medicine that discussed the use of cupping for conditions such as fever, pain, vertigo, menstruation imbalances, weakened appetite and accelerating the "healing crisis" of disease. From the Egyptians, cupping was introduced to the Greeks and eventually spread to ancient cultures in many countries of Europe and even the Americas. In recent history, European and American doctors widely used cupping in practice into the late 1800's. Research papers were written in the 19th century, and a collaborative effort between the former Soviet Union and China confirmed the clinical efficacy of cupping therapy. It became an official therapy to be found in all Chinese hospitals. Breast cupping became common for inflamed breasts and lactation dysfunctions. The familiar breast pump emerged from this. The 20th century brought about a decline in interest as technology and machines came into use. New cupping sets were introduced using pumps to create the vacuum, and these sets were carried by medical supply companies well into the 1940's.
What is Massage Cupping?
Massage Cupping™ bodywork therapy is an exciting modern adaptation of the ancient art of cupping therapy. Cupping is a subtle, yet powerful addition to any healthcare practice and complements many healing modalities. This technique is also easily used at home for treating many common conditions.
Through several thousand years of clinical experience, the therapeutic applications of cupping have been documented. By creating suction and negative pressure, cupping is used to:drain excess fluids and toxins, loosen adhesions and lift connective tissue, bring blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles and stimulate the peripheral nervous system.
Varied techniques using stationary and moving glass cups greatly enhance many spa/body treatments and massage modalities. This method has been adapted and duplicated by modern lymphatic drainage machines. Cupping intensifies the therapeutic aspects of current treatments and is a subtle, yet very powerful, addition to any spa or private practice.The cups are inexpensive, the therapy is fun and result-oriented, and the treatments create the perfect add-on to a service.
'Cupping' Takes The Pain Away
(CBS) Cupping is a form of alternative pain therapy that recently left some curious marks on actress and new mom Gwyneth Paltrow. The mystery behind the circular marks on Paltrow’s back is solved by Michael Gaeta, president of the Acupuncture Society of New York, who describes the therapy on The Early Show.
He demonstrates the cupping therapy on the back of one of his patients, who was lying on a treatment table.
“There are two forms of cupping therapy,” Gaeta tells co-anchor Harry Smith. “Cupping therapy is a treatment in which the practitioner creates suction in a cup. And then applies that cup to the body, which then draws the skin up around the cup, under the cup.”
The traditional method uses fire. Gaeta holds a cotton ball and wets it with alcohol. Then ignites the soaked cotton ball and places it in the cup.
He says, “Fire cupping uses a flame to create suction in the cup - you’ll see a flame in the cup - and then, we’ll apply the cup to the body.”
The skin gets sucked up and rises under the cup as blood rushes up.
“Cupping brings fresh blood to the area, Gaeta says. “So it tends to improve circulation. It also helps open up the chest and benefit the lungs and can even benefit menstrual problems and digestive problems, too. Most commonly, it’s used for aches and pains of various types as well as respiratory problems, cough, wheezing, things like that.”
“It feels a bit strange,” the patient says. “Definitely doesn’t hurt. It just feels like someone’s pulling at your skin.”
Gaeta notes, “Cupping therapy is usually used as part of acupuncture or body work treatment. It’s been part of Chinese medicine for over 2,500 years. Originally, animal horn was the original cup. The horn method is the original thing. Later on brass, ceramic, bamboo cups were used.”
It looks like something out of medieval alchemy, but Gaeta says, it is just an alternate method of treatment.
He adds, “Fire cupping is the traditional, most effective method. Some practitioners choose to use the suction cup method, where you pump up the suction cup and that’s it. Same kind of thing - just doesn’t use flame.”
There are very few conditions in which cupping should not be used, such as high fever, skin disease or tendency to bleed easily.
Each cupping session last about 10 to 15 minutes and it can be repeated, once the marks are cleared, until the problem is resolved, Gaeta says. To get a treatment, he says, seek a licensed acupuncturist.
Who use it?
Pain Syndrome
· Cervical spondylopathy
· Frozen shoulder, keen and arm pain
· Acute lumbar sprain and lumbar muscular fatigue
· intercostals neuralgia and sciatica never pain
· Rheumatoid arthritis
· Torticollis
· Back pain and low back pain
· Sporting tissue injury
· Facial paralysis, migraine and sexual neurasthenia
· Toothache
· Dysmenorrhea
Other Diseases
· chronic bronchitis and asthma
· Impotence
· Chronic rhinitis
· Common cold
