Cupping Therapy (Dry)
What is Cupping Therapy and how can it help me? (also called myofascial decompression)
Noticed those ring marks popping up on sports people and celebraties? What is this new trend?
Not so new! Cuppping therapy dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Middle Eastern cultures. One of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus from 1550 BCE describes how the ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy for treating fever, pain, vertigo, menstrual problems & other ailments.
The Egyptians introduced cupping to the ancient Greeks who used it as a cure for almost every illness. In traditional Chinese medicine, it's closely linked to acupuncture. The Islamic Prophet Muhammad also recommended cupping in his writings, where he called it hijama.
Roll forward to modern times and cupping therapy has increased in popularity as an alternative therapy. Here are some potential reasons why
Pain Relief
Cupping may help reduce chronic pain, potentially reducing muscle tension and promoting tissue repair. Often used for lower back pain, neck, shoulders and joint pain as well as for headaches and migraine.
Cups can be applied to the knee, thigh & hamstrings, foot, ankle and lower leg to assist with pain relief for conditions such as plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitus, calf strain and shin splints.
Cupping therapy has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Relaxation and Stress Reduction
Cupping can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing relaxation and reducing stress levels.
Detoxification
Proponents believe that cupping helps remove toxins from the body by improving lymphatic flow and stimulating the immune system.
Improved Skin Health
Cupping may increase vascularization, which could help in managing skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis symptoms.
Reduction of Inflammation
By increasing blood flow and reducing stagnation, cupping is thought to help decrease inflammation in localized areas.
Faster Recovery for Athletes
Many athletes use cupping to alleviate muscle soreness, improve flexibility, and recover more quickly from intense physical activity.
Improved Range of Motion
Regular sessions may aid in breaking up adhesions and improving mobility in stiff joints or tight muscles.
Non-Invasive Therapy
Unlike some other treatments, dry cupping is non-invasive, does not involve needles, and is relatively low risk when done correctly.
Holistic Well-Being
For some, the therapeutic experience of cupping can lead to an overall sense of well-being by combining physical relief with relaxation.