Three Ways You Can Benefit From Cupping Therapy
Stagnant water creates all sorts of problems. It harbors bacteria and serves as a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. In some ways, this is similar to what happens when you have poor circulation (well, minus the mosquitoes, or course.) Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that improves blood flow, helps eliminate toxins and reduces “stagnation.”
Cupping has been around for thousands of years, and is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Did you realize that cupping has been used in Chinese hospitals as an official therapeutic practice since the 1950s?
In a previous blog post, we’ve already covered how professional athletes are harnessing the power of cupping therapy to improve their performance. However, with this post, we’d like to go a bit more in-depth about how you can benefit from this specialized treatment.
What Happens During Cupping Treatments?
During a cupping session, the acupuncturist places small, heated glass cups on your skin. These create suction that draws toxins and congested blood to the surface. This improves your circulation, enabling your body to rid yourself of these naturally. Sometimes, cups are moved around the skin or supplemented with medical massage oils.
In fact, it may be helpful to think of cupping as the opposite of a massage. During a massage, pressure is applied to muscles in order to treat them, while in cupping; suction is used to pull them upward. Cupping therapy has been embraced by athletes such as Michael Phelps and celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston.
Three Ways You Can Benefit from Cupping Therapy
Cupping is both effective, safe, relaxing and has a wide variety of benefits. Three ways you can benefit from cupping therapy are:
Pain reduction
Studies have demonstrated that cupping is effective in reducing intense pain and provides short-term benefits. According to the Journal of Traditional Chinese Sciences, studies revealed that cupping therapy was an effective treatment for acute pain from several different chronic conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic headaches and osteoarthritis. It also indicated that cupping was even more effective when used in conjunction with acupuncture.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure occurs when the force of your blood pushing against your blood vessels is consistently too high. High blood pressure puts you at much greater risk for heart attack, strokes and heart disease (American Heart Association).
Cupping has a sedating, relaxing effect on your nervous system, which serves as a stress release. Stress reduction can help lower your blood pressure. In addition, cupping sessions help you regulate the amount of sodium and potassium in your blood, which can also help treat high blood pressure.
Weight loss
While cupping therapy is not a “magic” solution for weight loss—sorry, you still have to eat a healthy diet and exercise—it does help your body lose weight by regulating metabolism, reducing hunger and promoting healthy digestion.
Cupping Therapy has Additional Extensive Benefits
Of course, the advantages of cupping therapy don’t end here. Cupping also helps treat:
Anxiety
Fatigue
Migraines
Colds/ congestion
Asthma
Constipation
Is Cupping Therapy and Acupuncture Right for You?
If you’re curious about how acupuncture and cupping therapy can help you live a healthier life, contact us. We’ll be happy to provide any information you need and answer all of your questions.
Connecticut Family Acupuncture is dedicated to helping as many people as possible realize their optimum health naturally, without the use of pharmaceutical or surgical interventions. We are committed to our patients and utilize our extensive knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine to address each individual’s health concerns. Connecticut Family Acupuncture has offices in Bolton. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.
