Cupping Therapy, also called Suction Cup Therapy, or Fire Cupping, or Chinese Cupping Therapy, is a traditional, time-honoured treatment used by millions of people worldwide because it’s safe, comfortable and remarkably effective for many health disorders.
It has been widely practised by many cultures in history (Asia, Middle East, Northern Africa, and American First Nations) although it is not clear whether the technique evolved distinctly or was passed on by people migrating to different locations. The exact location where the technique first developed is not known.
How is the suction created? Small cups made of glass are used to create vacuum. Materials like alcohol are either rubbed on the bottom of the cup or a cotton swab soaked in alcohol is placed in the cup. These materials are then ignited and as the fire goes out, the cup is carefully placed upside down on specific areas of the body. The cooling air inside the cup creates a vacuum that causes blood vessels directly below the skin to dilate. The cup is typically left in place for 5 to 15 minutes at a time and the therapist may choose to use several cups on different points at the same time. Patients receiving cupping therapy can be rest assured that there is rarely any burning of the skin.
The most common treatment area is the back. The cups can be placed on the skin and either moved across it in a continuous motion on lubricated skin (sliding cupping), kept in place for 5-15 min. (traditional cupping) or applied and taken off repeatedly and rapidly (flash cupping). In all these methods, the suction inside the cups lifts the skin away from the body to create negative pressure, as opposed, for example, to the positive pressure induced by massage therapy (link here). This negative pressure helps loosen muscle tissue, promote healthy blood flow and sedate the nervous system.
This is an ancient technique and dates as far back as 1500 B.C., when ancient Egyptians used it to treat fever, vertigo, menstrual imbalance, poor appetite, pain and a variety of other health conditions. Taoist herbalists later used cupping therapy to induce relaxation, expel toxins from the body and promote healthy blood flow, among many other uses.
Today, this simple and highly versatile technique is still beneficial for all sorts of health conditions, which makes it an excellent alternative to drugs and surgery for many people.
Cupping therapy has been effectively used to treat lung and respiratory conditions, including asthma symptoms and the common cold. In fact, respiratory ailments are among the earliest recorded conditions for which cupping therapy was deemed beneficial. Also, cupping therapy can treat a variety of other conditions, like:
✓ Blood disorders such as anemia and hemophilia
✓ Rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia
✓ Fertility and gynecological disorders
✓ Skin problems such as eczema and acne
✓ High blood pressure (hypertension)
✓ Migraine
✓ Anxiety and depression
✓ Bronchial congestion caused by allergies and asthma
✓ Varicose veins
Supporters also believe that cupping therapy can reduce pain and inflammation throughout the body. Cupping can also promote mental and physical relaxation and well-being.
Cupping therapy should be avoided by the following groups:
✓ Pregnant or menstruating women
✓ People with metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread from one part of the body to another)
✓ People with bone fractures or muscle spasms
Cupping therapy should not be applied to sites on the body that have:
✓ A deep vein thrombosis
✓ An ulcer
✓ An artery
✓ A pulse that can be felt
A session of cupping in our clinic will usually last 30 minutes and one session is $75.00 (tax included). A package of 3 treatments costs $200.00 (tax included). A package of 6 visits is $360.00 (tax included).