Effects of Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special suction cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. It dates back to Ancient China and is one of the oldest medical treatments in the world. Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed and may relieve muscle tension, which improves overall blood flow and promotes cell repair. It also helps form new connective tissues and creates new blood vessels in the tissue.
A modern version of cupping uses rubber pumps instead of fire to create a vacuum effect inside the cup. As the air inside the cup cools, it creates the vacuum effect. This causes the skin to rise and redden as the blood vessels expand. The cup is left in place for about 3 minutes. As stated previously, it helps increase blood flow, release soft tissue tension/trigger points, and gives a sensation of relief after the treatment. Cupping may leave some bruises, which is normal to have after the treatment. There are different viewpoints on whether the darker the mark, the more pathology there is. Though certain therapists believe different viewpoints, this is something that needs to be researched in finer detail to truly finalize any results.
