Acupuncture Cupping For Pain Relief

An ancient Chinese technique, acupuncture cupping is another form of healing that is practiced in China.
The ancient cultures of the world have a lot to offer in terms of healing practices and traditions. They developed this and other techniques with understanding by painstaking research over years. The Chinese have one of the oldest cultures in our history; their healing techniques like acupuncture, acupuncture cupping and acupressure are renowned the world over.

What Is Acupuncture Cupping?

Traditionally, in ancient China, cupping was a form of a healing therapy that consisted of placing glass, plastic or metal cups on the skin with vacuum suction. According to the principles of Chinese medicine, this therapy increases blood flow to the surface of the skin removing disease causing toxins. Apart from this, it helps in the curing of many conditions, such as the common cold, bronchitis and pneumonia. It is also beneficial for various pains, such as in the neck, shoulder and back.
It involves applying the cups to acupuncture points on the meridians. It is used to enhance acupuncture as well since it stimulates circulation andrelieves swelling.

How is it done?

The acupuncturist inserts and burns a cotton wool ball soaked in alcohol or a candle inside the cup. This removes the air so creating a partial vacuum. Then the cup is immediately applied to the affected area in an inverted position. Usually, it’s advisable to apply oil before cupping so that the skin doesn’t dry due to the vacuum and the heat but more importantly, it enables the cups to be easily slid across the skin.
These cups are left on the skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Earlier, burning something was the only way to create vacuum inside the cup. The modern day technique involves employing a vacuum pump or a suction cup to draw out air after the cup has been placed on the skin. This is known as air cupping.
In many cases the skin is punctured with a needle and then the cup is placed over the area. This is believed to be improve detoxification.
Cupping is one of the most ancient and successful techniques to cure many problems. Where antibiotics or painkillers fail, cupping can often succeed and giving the patient a new lease of life.
Chinese medicine principles state that stagnation of blood is the cause of many pains and diseases. Cupping therapy clears up the stagnation and stimulates the blood flow in the affected areas. Due to its very nature, it also clears congestion in the chest caused by colds and ‘flu.
Many people believe that cupping is painful. However, that’s not true. You may feel the pull of the skin when the cup is applied, but there is no pain. There may be a bruise in the cupped area but that disappears after just a short while.
These ancient arts are time tested and proven. Sometimes, acupuncture cupping cures a disease that modern day medicine finds incurable or difficult to heal. So, try cupping and I am sure you will appreciate its value.