Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is a type of physical manipulation that involves applying cups to the skin. There are different techniques, but essentially the goal is to create a suction to alleviate muscle aches and pain. This suction pulls the skin and muscles similar to a deep tissue massage, and are left on for 10-25 minutes.

Here at Nicole McLaughlin Acupuncture, we offer dry cupping, also known as air cupping. This is when a glass cup is applied to the skin with a hand-held suction pump, attached to the rounded tip of the cup, and is used to create a suction or vacuum. This is manually applied to an oiled area of the body and cups may be left in a stationary position or moved around. It does not hurt and you usually feel pressure. The results demonstrate improved circulation, reduced inflammation, and a deep sense of relief and relaxation.

Wet cupping is different from dry cupping in that the small cuts or incisions are made in the skin to draw out a small amount of blood during the suction process.

Whether or not this interests you, Nicole McLaughlin Acupuncture does not practice wet cupping.

It is difficult to say where exactly cupping originated. Cupping therapy has a history that dates back millennia. Even though cupping is primarily associated with Chinese medicine, there is evidence that shows that the ancient Egyptians documented cupping in 1500 BC. Two great Egyptian sources that illustrate cupping as treatment for medical conditions are

1. the Ebers Papyrus—one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world
2. Cupping illustrations on the Temple of Kom Ombo near Luxor

In Chinese medicine, cupping therapy can be traced back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty in the Zhou Hou Jiu Zu Fang (A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies) by the famous herbalist, Ge Hong (283-343 AD). Ge Hong popularized the saying with “acupuncture and cupping combined, more than half of the ills can be cured.”

Cupping therapy is used for a number of health concerns to make you feel better. Examples:

• Respiratory conditions such as common colds, bronchitis, and asthma
• Pain conditions
• Digestive disorders such as gastritis and diarrhea
• Gynecological disorders such as menstrual cramps and infertility
• Headaches and dizziness
• Insomnia
• Lymphatic blockages and stimulate detoxification

Yes, cupping works. Cupping therapy is a great way to alleviate pain, improve circulation, and to promote overall well being.

Combined with acupuncture, cupping can work wonders. As the famous herbalist Ge Hong said, “acupuncture and cupping combined, more than half of the ills can be cured.”

To experience this for yourself, make an appointment for cupping and acupuncture today.

Cupping works by improving blood circulation. It pulls the skin upward in a suction force or vacuum. For example, in pain conditions when there is blood stagnation in the belly of the muscle that’s causing pain, the suction pulls the stagnated blood to the surface of the skin. When this occurs, the cupping breaks up blood stagnation and encourages the movement of blood. In doing so, cupping stimulates blood circulation and in effect, alleviates pain.

Cupping works with a variety of conditions based on cupping techniques and location. It’s used for pain relief, and so much more!

Cupping removes toxins by encouraging built-up toxins in muscle tissues to move through the lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system is responsible for

• Removing cellular waste
• Maintaining fluid levels
• Fighting infection and providing protection through specific immune responses
• Transporting fats and proteins from your gut to your bloodstream

Cupping encourages rich, oxygenated blood to circulate and eliminate waste. It also breaks up and expels congestion. Additional benefits are

• Clear congestion and phlegm buildup in your face or lungs due to colds, sinus infections, bronchitis, or asthma
• Reduces colon blockages and aids digestion

If you experience any form of fluid blockages related to your respiratory or digestive systems, consider using cupping to make you feel better immediately.

While cupping is considered relatively safe, it can cause some *bruising, swelling, and sometimes blisters on the skin. While bruises are the most common, they are generally painless and will disappear within a week.

*This kind of bruising is a discoloration of skin, but doesn’t feel like a typical bruise. Most people don’t report pain…it just looks terrible. But don’t worry, it goes away fast.

How cupping feels depends on if the cupping is fixed or moving.

1. Fixed cupping feels like a sucking sensation with pressure at the localized area of the cupped part of the body. It feels like a vacuum.
2. Moving cupping feels fluid and can be compared to a deep tissue or lymphatic drainage massage.

The results of cupping are both energizing and relaxing at the same time. Imagine releasing all the tension and stress from your day—what a difference!

Cupping helps with

• Respiratory conditions such as common colds, bronchitis, and asthma
• Pain conditions
• Digestive disorders such as gastritis and diarrhea
• Gynecological disorders such as menstrual cramps and infertility
• Headaches and dizziness
• Insomnia
• Lymphatic blockages and stimulate detoxification

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?! Try cupping in conjunction with acupuncture, and discover the results for yourself. Book an appointment now.

If you feel healthy and strong, I recommend cupping once every three months. If you’re not feeling healthy and strong, you can get cupping as often as 1-3 times per week for 4-12 weeks. If you are an athlete, you can get cupping once a week while you are training in a 3-6 month period.

Generally, cups are left in place for 10-25 minutes.

Cupping marks are circular marks that range in color from pink to scarlet red to deep purple.

Chinese Medicine Cupping Mark Color Guide:

• Mild redness indicates healthy blood circulation
• No redness indicates qi and blood deficiency
• Water droplets or blisters indicates excess dampness
• Spotting with redness indicates toxin accumulation
• Moderate redness indicates moderate blood stagnation
• Deep purple indicates severe stagnation

The important things to remember are that cupping therapy supports your lymphatic system and cupping marks don’t hurt. Cupping is used to promote healing and vitality by alleviating pain and removing toxins from your body.

Cupping marks last 7-10 days.

Considered the following cupping aftercare routine to maximize the benefits of your treatment:

• Hydrate with room-temperature, purified water
• Go to the bathroom and have a healthy bowel movement
• Have a light meal
• Listen to calm, relaxing music to enhance your relaxed state of mind
• Gentle stretches, gentle yoga or qigong /chi-gong/
• Meditation
• Rest or yoga nidra
• Sleep

Your pores are open after treatment so make sure you’re well clothed after treatment to avoid feeling chilled.

You may also feel tired or lethargic after treatment. If you experience any body aches, headaches, or flu-like symptoms, remember that your body is detoxing. Your lymphatic system works to remove toxic waste and to strengthen your immune system. Make sure that you hydrate with purified filtered water and block out the time after treatment to lie down, be low key or take a nap to reset.

When considering cupping aftercare routine, 24 hours after treatment avoid the following:

• High intensity exercise
• Alcohol, coffee, sugar, dairy, wheat, or processed meats
• Extreme temperatures—Hot showers, baths, or frigid air-conditioning
• Jumping into work and completing administrative tasks… You want to give yourself plenty of time to absorb the treatment.
• Stop Medications

High intensity exercise includes:

• Running
• Power yoga
• Weight lifting
• High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

To get the most out of your session, be sure to build in the space after treatment 2-3 hours to have some downtime.

You can’t shower after cupping because it will hurt. After cupping your pores are open and your skin will be more sensitive than usual. Taking a hot shower or bath after cupping causes inflammation and sometimes skin damage. Taking cold showers, which will invite cold pathogens are not recommended either.

Wait at least 4-24 hours before jumping into the shower. Your skin needs to calm down.

You can resume your exercise routine 1-2 days after receiving a cupping treatment.

As a general rule of thumb, avoid high intensity exercise 24 hours after any bodywork treatment. High intensity includes:

• • Running
  • Power yoga

• Weight lifting
• High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Light exercise such as contemplative walking or gentle yoga is okay. Stillness practices such as yoga nidra or meditation are even better. If you need to take a nap, give yourself permission to do so. Your future self will thank you!

No, don’t go swimming after cupping. Pools have chlorine and you don’t want to expose yourself. When your pores are open, chlorine water can feel like an acute sunburn on the skin. Save swimming for another day.

Facial cupping is okay during pregnancy. Pregnant women should not have cupping on their lower abdomen or low back, obviously. There are some acupuncture/acupressure points to avoid during pregnancy. If you do decide to get cupping to relieve pain, seek a professional.

Yes, cupping is an eligible medical service with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Cupping falls under the umbrella of Complementary and Integrative Medicine.