Cupping therapy is an age-old practice used in alternative medicine to address a wide range of health issues. Its roots can be traced back to ancient China, but it remains a prevalent method in the realm of alternative medicine. This therapeutic technique is provided by different experts, such as acupuncturists, massage therapists, and practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Traditional Cupping: Using Fire and Suction for Therapeutic Benefits
Traditional cupping is a therapeutic treatment that involves the use of fire and suction. In this age-old practice, a small glass cup is filled with a flammable substance, which is then set on fire. Once the fire is extinguished, the cup is quickly inverted and placed on the patient’s skin. As the air inside the cup cools down, a vacuum effect is created, causing the skin to rise and the blood vessels underneath to expand.
Understanding the Two Types of Cupping
When it comes to cupping, there are two main categories: wet cupping and dry cupping. While dry cupping is more prevalent in North America, wet cupping has seen a surge in popularity in recent years.
Dry cupping is the simpler of the two methods. It involves suctioning a cup onto the skin without any additional steps. On the other hand, wet cupping takes the process a step further by creating a small incision in the skin after removing the cup, allowing for the extraction of a small amount of blood.