Are you suffering from severe muscular pain and discomfort? Is there a treatment to alleviate your pain and other discomforts? Cupping therapy can be an effective treatment for several painful conditions. Thus, let us find an answer to one of the frequently asked questions: “What is Cupping Therapy?”

What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy is a sort of deep-tissue massage that has been used for centuries to aid with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation, and well-being.

A medical expert places cups on your back, stomach, arms, legs, or other body areas. A vacuum or suction force pushes the skin upward inside the cup. The tissue beneath the cup is pulled up and swells out, increasing the blood supply to the afflicted area. Impurities and poisons are drawn away from adjacent tissues and organs and brought to the surface for clearance by increased blood flow under the cups.

History of Cupping Therapy

Cupping is an ancient Chinese and Middle Eastern medicinal technique. Cupping treatment has been used for hundreds of years. One of the oldest and most powerful techniques for removing toxins from body tissues and organs is referred to as Chinese cupping therapy. Cupping treatments are also popularly known by names such as vacuum cupping, Hijama cupping, and horn therapy.

Why is Cupping Used For?

Cupping is most commonly used to treat painful conditions. Some studies claim that it also helps in the effective treatment of chronic health conditions and issues, including:

  • Arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, can be effectively treated
  • Blood pressure that is too high (hypertension) can be reduced
  • Back pain, neck pain, knee pain, and shoulder pain can be reduced
  • Irritable bowel illness is a gastrointestinal ailment (IBD) that can be treated through cupping
  • Migraines and headaches can be treated
  • Asthma and other breathing issues can be treated with cupping therapy
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects the hands and wrists and can be treated through cupping therapy

Different Types of Cupping

  • Dry cupping
  • Cupping with oil or sliding cupping
  • Flash cupping
  • Deep tissue cupping
  • Tonifying
  • Fire cupping therapy
  • Acupuncture cupping
  • Wet cupping or Hijama therapy
  • Moxa cupping
  • Facial cupping

Types of Cups Used

  • Glass or fire glass cups
  • Horn or suction cups
  • Bamboo or wooden cups
  • Silicone or facial cups
  • Nabhi pump
  • Plastic or Hijama cups

Major Types of Cupping Therapy

Dry Cupping

Dry cupping involves:

  • Placing a plastic or glass cup on the skin and sucking or vacuuming out the air within the cup.
  • The cups may be used at rest or while moving, and the application duration is typically five to ten minutes.

Ventosa Massage

During a ventosa massage, a competent practitioner places glass, bamboo, earthenware, or silicone cups on your skin for a few minutes to widen capillaries and increase the quantity of fluid entering and leaving tissues.

Acupuncture Cupping

Cupping is frequently used with massage and acupuncture to achieve the best outcomes. Silicone cups are used by the therapist for this type of cupping. They add essential oil or cream to the skin and then slide the cups over the regions that need to be treated, massaging the region with the cup.

Wet Cupping

Another method is to use wet cupping. The names “Hijama therapy” and “medicinal bleeding” refer to the same process. Here:

  • The therapist creates a mild suction by leaving the cup in place for 3 minutes, following which the therapist removes the cup and makes a small, microscopic incision in your skin.
  • The next step is to use a second suction to extract a small amount of blood.
  • After this treatment, you may need antibiotic ointment and a bandage to avoid infection.
  • After 10 days, your skin should be back to normal.

Oil Cupping

It’s a massage method in which massage oils are administered to the body, and then cups are affixed to the body and dragged across a region.

How Does Cupping Work?

  • Cupping creates suction, which sucks fluid into the treated region.
  • This suction force causes microscopic blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin to enlarge and rip apart.
  • This cupping region is treated as an injury by your body.
  • It stimulates the natural healing process by sending more blood to the region.

Cupping, according to some studies, clears the pores and releases pollutants. This also answers the question frequently pondered over, “What is the purpose of cupping?” Cupping therapy works as a catalyst in the natural healing process.

Who Does Cupping?

Cupping may be performed by a wide range of professionals, including:

  • Acupuncturist
  • Chiropractor
  • Massage therapist
  • Medical doctor
  • Physical therapist

The Benefits of Cupping Therapy

If we list them all out, there are several cupping therapy benefits. It may also be a really soothing and peaceful experience.

Rapid Pain Relief

  • Cupping massages can aid in the treatment of arthritis, lower back pain, and other ailments.
  • It can be used to treat a variety of pains, including headaches, migraines, tooth pain, muscle pain, sciatica, and others.
  • It is used to treat arthritis in the joints that are afflicted.
  • This treatment helps to enhance blood circulation and mobility, making it an effective treatment for rheumatism, lumbago, and stiff necks and shoulders.

Eliminate the Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

In today’s fast-paced world, there is little time for relaxation and rejuvenation. We are mentally overwhelmed by digital distractions such as smartphones, laptops, and other devices, even if we make time for physical rest.

All of these can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome. This can be a long-term source of weariness and fatigue. Hijama therapy or cupping treatment is an excellent treatment for this condition.

Lung Disease Relief

Cupping treatment can help with a variety of lung ailments, including chronic cough, asthma, pulmonary congestion, and lung inflammation.

Maintaining Skin Health

Your skin’s condition often reflects what’s going on within your body. By boosting the skin’s blood flow, cupping enhances the availability of oxygen and essential nutrients for healthy skin.

It also helps prevent acne and other skin conditions, including eczema and cellulite. Cupping therapy also helps to expand blood vessels, which improves blood flow and allows toxins to be removed from the skin’s surface.

Getting Rid of Digestive Issues

Consistent stress, malnutrition, or a hyperactive immune system can all create digestive problems, and cupping therapy can effectively help these issues.

Healing of Urinary Tract Infections

Cupping therapy can be used to treat a variety of urinary issues, including kidney stones, urine retention, and abscesses. To treat urinary retention, the cups are put on the lumbar region.

A Technique for Relaxation

Cupping may also be used as a form of relaxation massage. Cupping stimulates energy and blood flow, making it a great way to unwind and relax.

Swift Healing

Cupping therapy can be used to increase blood flow to specific areas that need healing. The increased blood and energy flow will result in a faster recovery.

Side Effects of Cupping Therapy

  • After each Ventosa/Cupping therapy session, you may notice minor side effects on the treated skin.
  • Mild pain, burns, cupping therapy marks, or bruises in the regions where the cups contact your skin are usual.
  • Bruises can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, although they are rarely painful.

Other uncommon dangers of cupping include:

  • Persistent skin discoloration or bad cupping marks
  • Severe scars and burns
  • Skin infections
  • It may worsen eczema or psoriasis
  • Anemia after repeated wet cupping

Cupping therapy side effects can be totally avoided if the session is handled and done under the proper supervision of professionals.

Is Cupping Effective?

Cupping is effective when it comes to pain relief and is a commonly used treatment for various issues, as discussed. Even though cupping is a generally safe procedure, you should see your doctor before doing it.

Also, remember to ask these questions to your healthcare provider:

  • What does cupping do for you?
  • How much experience do you have in cupping therapy?
  • What are the possible side effects of cupping?
  • Why do people do cupping?
  • What is your training in cupping therapy?
  • Do I have any conditions that can be adverse after cupping therapy?
  • Can you show some testimonials of before and after cupping therapy?
  • Does cupping therapy hurt?

Contraindications

It is not advised to do cupping therapy in the following conditions:

  • Open wounds or infected tissue
  • Ligament sprain and tendon rupture
  • In people suspected of hemorrhage
  • In tumors
  • Extreme anemia
  • People suffering from hemophilia
  • Over varicose veins 

Cupping Therapy Services in Dubai

If you are in search of “cupping therapy services near me,” Lana Life Care will help you! Lana Life Care offers professional and expert health care services, including elderly home care, physiotherapy at home, at-home baby care, at-home chronic condition care, IV therapy treatments, phlebotomy services (blood test at home), and much more.

So, if you wish to know more about cupping therapy services in Dubai, you can resort to Lana Life Care, who will guide you through the proper guidelines of cupping treatment and necessary cupping therapy points. Contact us for the best home health care service in Dubai.