Cupping is actually a popular, ancient technique that dates back thousands of years and it is used to treat numerous symptoms and conditions. For this practice to remain popular in contemporary society shows that people see value in it but for many, cupping therapy still seems like a strange and questionable process.
We’re here to answer some questions that people might have about cupping so you have the information to make an informed decision about trying it out for yourself.
What is it?
From Egypt and the Middle East to China, cupping has been used as a part of holistic medicine as a therapeutic practice. In a cupping therapy session, the practitioner applies heat-treated or vacuum cups to certain points on a patient’s body. Cups have differed over time and in each region but the idea is to create a suction on the surface of the skin (usually on the back of a patient) by placing these cups in specific positions for fixed periods of time.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cupping is a practice that helps balance yin and yang energy (qi) in the body through increased blood flow. Stagnation is also a cause for concern in TCM because stagnation promotes pain and discomfort but cupping can help remove stagnation and qi blockages.
What are the benefits of cupping?
As stated earlier, cupping is good for increasing blood flow to areas of the body that can be directly or indirectly affected by the cup’s position. Cupping sessions are customized to treat particular symptoms but here just some benefits associated with cupping:
- Relaxation of muscles
- Increase circulation and lymphatic flow
- Get rid of toxins and fluids
- Release trigger points and reduce pain
Symptoms can see immediate reduction or it can take a few sessions but overall, the impact that cupping has as a therapeutic treatment bears out for most patients.
What happens after a cupping session?
This is a popular question and for good reason, cupping looks painful and its end result does seem to leave marks on the skin. However, this is not always the case because cupping itself doesn’t cause physical pain as an experienced practitioner knows how much suction to apply on your skin.
The cupping marks don’t usually last more than a week or so and they go away naturally. But, if you have certain reservations about how visible the cupping marks are going to be, speak to your therapist about it before undergoing any procedures.
What happens after a cupping session?
If any of this information has made you curious about cupping or if you are looking for a new therapy to treat some of the symptoms and conditions we’ve mentioned, Form Physio and Rehab is the place for you. We invite you to start with a completely free, no-obligation, risk-free appointment at our clinic in Bangkok. We will assess whether you are a good candidate for Cupping therapy and do a full assessment of your conditions and needs.
Author
Thipkrita (Fair) Thitipongpreeda
Senior TCM Therapist at Form Recovery and Wellness
Khun Thipkrita is our Senior TCM Therapist at Form Recovery and Wellness. Thipkrita graduated from Mae Fah Luang University with a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She also worked and studied TCM at Xiamen University in China before moving back to Thailand. Thipkrita is a true team player who believes in the power of our Team Based Approach to give all our clients the highest chance of success.
