When battling stress, body aches, or muscle spasms, getting a massage, stretching, meditation, or a hot shower is the first thing that comes to mind for healing and relaxation. Many, however, are now participating in cupping therapy to improve blood flow and range of motion and reduce pain and muscle inflammation.
Originating in China and West Asia, Cupping therapy, or myofascial decompression, is an ancient and one of the most effective healing techniques for reducing pain. Cups made of glass, bamboo, metal, or ceramic are applied to the skin on the shoulders, back, legs, stomach or any muscle area where the cups can be attached. The suction creates a negative-pressure environment to lift the muscle fibres and increase the blood flow in that area. Cupping therapy in Melbourne is trending for pain relief from conditions like migraine, arthritis, plaque psoriasis and muscle stiffness.
Introduction to Cupping Therapy
Although cupping came into the limelight after Michael Phelps's appearance in the 2016 Summer Olympics, the therapy has been practised for thousands of years. Ancient Egypt's Ebers papyrus (1550 BC) is the oldest medical record of cupping therapy, and this alternative therapy was also part of the healing systems in China, Korea, Tibet and Unani. Greek physician Hippocrates also compiled the cupping techniques in this work.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe that suction regulates the qi or the life force in the body and balances the yin and yang within the body. By restoring the positive and negative, the body's ability to resist pathogens increases, thereby improving the blood flow and reducing pain. Other benefits include:
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Improved local anaerobic metabolism
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Reduced inflammation
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Boost in cellular immunity.
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Increased pain thresholds
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Improved biomechanical properties in the skin
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Increased blood flow
The Different Types of Cupping Therapy
Suction from cups draws fluid into the treated area, expanding and breaking open the blood vessels or capillaries under the skin. Your body replenishes the cupped area with increased blood flow and stimulates proper healing at the cellular level. However, different cupping methods involve varying steps.
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Dry Cupping: A simple and widely preferred method where the practitioner applies the cups to your skin and compresses them with their hands, a pump, or fire in the case of glass cups. The cup is left for 5-10 minutes and often is combined with massage, where s/he puts oil or lotion on your skin to move the cup back and forth, up and down to give your skin a massage-like experience.
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Wet Cupping (Hijama): The therapist leaves the cup on your back for about 3 minutes to create a mild suction and uses a small scalpel to make tiny cuts on your skin. Next, they do a second suction for 10-15 minutes to draw blood in a small quantity. The main idea of this practice is to attract inflammatory cells and release endogenous opioids, which help fight infections and improve immunity.
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Fire Cupping: The practitioner sets an alcohol-soaked cotton ball aflame to heat each cup's inside and places it on the skin. The heat removes oxygen from the cup and creates a vacuum, which draws the skin and muscle tissue into the cup, leading to capillary rupture for pain relief.
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Silicone or Modern Suction Cupping: Silicone cups are a contemporary form of therapy that utilises suction to draw the skin upward and increase blood in that area to ensure muscle relaxation, relieve pain, and improve overall tissue health.
How Does Cupping Therapy Work?
Cupping therapy has the capability to treat a wide range of physical and emotional conditions. Here's how the process generally works:
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The Basic Process: Suction, Skin Rising and Blood Flow - Cupping creates a suction effect and pulls blood into the skin underneath each cup, making it rise and saturating the surrounding tissues with fresh blood and promoting new blood vessel formation. The suction draws blood from the deeper tissues and expands the capillaries, increasing the blood flow to the treated area. This influx of blood triggers an inflammatory response.
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Explanation of Negative Pressure and Its Effects on Tissue - Cupping creates a vacuum on the skin surface with heat or a suction device. This negative pressure lifts the skin and the underlying tissues, separates them and creates a localised area of low pressure. The body's natural healing response floods the area with white blood cells, platelets and other healing components to repair tissue.
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The Role of Fascia and Lymphatic Drainage - Cupping promotes blood flow and affects the fascia by stretching and separating it to release muscle tension, improve flexibility and reduce stiffness. Increased blood circulation stimulates lymphatic drainage and removes toxins from the treated area.
What Conditions Can Be Treated With Cupping Therapy?
Cupping has reportedly shown effective results for treating mild and chronic conditions such as:
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Muscle Pain and Tension: Suction through cupping lifts and stretches the muscle to reduce stiffness, release muscle knots and promote relaxation through enhanced range of motion.
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Sports Injuries and Recovery: It treats musculoskeletal pain, strains, and chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome and can aid in post-surgical recovery.
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Migraines and Headaches: It even reduces migraines, chronic headaches, neck pain and carpal tunnel syndrome by increasing blood flow and reducing muscle tension.
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Anxiety and Stress Relief: Cupping therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's relaxation response, and releases built-up tension and stiffness.
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Digestive Issues and Circulation: Cupping is believed to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of digestive problems like indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therapy improves blood flow to the digestive tract and stimulates peristalsis.
What to Expect During a Cupping Session
Cupping is a long-practised treatment, but it is understandable if you feel somewhat intimidated at first due to a lack of proper information. If you choose this therapy technique, here's how it typically goes.
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Pre-Session Consultation: Before the session starts, the therapist assesses your condition and discusses the cupping technique, the safety measures implemented and how you will benefit from the technique.
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Equipment and Setup: Various cups and methods are used to create suction. New, sterile disposable needles, surgical blades or disposable cups are set out for wet cupping.
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Duration and Sensation During the Session: You will feel a tight pulling sensation, which is generally a relaxing and soothing experience. The cups remain in place for 5-15 minutes based on the treatment and individual needs. Some may also experience soreness, irritation, or temporary bruising.
Is Cupping Therapy Safe?
Cupping is a low-risk therapy with side effects like dizziness, sweating, nausea or lightheadedness. Since there is also a risk of skin irritation and infection, it is advised to consult a certified cupping therapist to ensure the correct methods are used for a maximised outcome.
How Advanced Osteopathy Can Help You Today?
Osteopathy is a drug-free, complementary therapy used alongside conventional treatment to strengthen the musculoskeletal framework and improve overall functioning of the body system. Medical practitioners globally recommend osteopathy because it treats chronic conditions like arthritis, digestive disorders, back pain, postural problems and headaches to improve posture and mobility.
Try Cupping Therapy in Melbourne Today
People have been using cupping therapy for ages to increase blood flow, boost immunity and reduce pain. Under proper supervision, thousands have benefited and painlessly returned to their regular lives. If you want to take advantage of the holistic impact of cupping therapy in Melbourne and balance your mind, body and spirit, contact Advanced Osteopathy today!