being well

healthier. better. happier.

Cupping.

Cupping and cupping massage have been known for thousands of years. Chinese cupping therapy can be performed in various ways – for example with fire (fire cupping ), or or without fire (non fire cupping ), with an incision in the skin (wet cupping ). Cups can be placed on the body, as well as can be used to perform a massage (so-called vacuum cupping massage). The cups differ in size, shape, and the material from which they are made (e.g. glass, plastic, silicone, bamboo).

Each form of cupping therapy contributes to the improvement of the physical and mental condition of the body. The performed treatment activates self-repairing processes, allowing the body to regain its balance.

Non fire cupping (vacum cupping).

Non fire cupping has the same healing abilities at the physical level of the body as the fire cupping. Non fire cupping, however, has at least two advantages over the fire  cupping. First of all, it enables precise generation of pressure inside the cup. In addition, it eliminates the possible risk of burns and the stress associated with it, for the client and the therapist).

Application of cups.

With the help of cups you can:

  • strengthen immunity;
  • support the treatment of infections (especially acute and chronic respiratory infections);
  • relieve pain (especially pain caused by muscle tension);
  • restore the proper functioning of internal organs;
  • relax the body and mind (mainly by relaxing and reducing muscle tension);
  • improve the quality of the skin (reduction of wrinkles, cellulite);
  • relieve insect bites.

More indications for cupping therapy can be found below.

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Launching self-repair processes.

Each form of cupping therapy contributes to the improvement of the physical and mental condition of the organism. The performed treatment activates self-repairing processes, enabling the organism to regain its balance.

Strengthening the immune system.

According to some practitioners, it is the fire and the heat of the cupping which are the healing factors during cupping therapy. The latest research and scientific discoveries, however, indicate that the most important healing factor is negative pressure. Negative pressure can be created with any type of cup, using any technique of cupping and cupping massage.

The created negative pressure sucks the skin into the cup. As a result, subcutaneous blood vessels are damaged (ruptured) and a certain amount of blood flows beyond these vessels. The consequence of this process is visible petechiae (hematomas). They disappear after a few days.

Cupping therapy mobilizes the immune system to function.

The blood that has leaked out of the vessels is treated by the immune system as a foreign body. Thanks to this, it becomes a stimulus for the body to produce a large number of immune bodies. Created thanks to the whole process, the army of soldiers supports the body in the fight against infection, inflammation, and toxins.

Cupping and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The negative pressure created as a result of suction of the cup is irritating the nerve end of the skin. It contributes to increasing blood supply, oxygenating, and nourishing the internal organ connected to the specific area of the skin, where the cup was placed.

The approach, taking into account the connection of the specific internal organs with the specific areas on the skin is used also in acupuncture. Acupuncture is a very important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), according to which the organs and areas on the skin are connected through meridians. Meridians are energetic channels, through which the life energy Qi flows. 

 

Restoration of proper flow of energy Qi.

Working with meridians on particular points on the skin stimulates the flow of life energy Qi and aligns its level. It influences the work of internal organs. Thanks to it balance is restored, ailments removed, and recovery is easier.

Restoring the proper flow of Qi and blood in the organism (for example using acupuncture or cupping) is the main goal of TCM. According to eastern medicine, the disruption of the Qi flow is the main cause of the formation of ailments and diseases. Pain is also a result of the stagnation of Qi and blood.

Vacuum cupping massage.

Chinese cupping massage is a type of therapeutic massage, which involves the use of vacuum suction of the skin and the tissues under its surface. Its effect is much deeper than that of a classic massage. The therapeutic effect of vacuum massage is about increasing the blood supply to the tissues of the massaged area (stimulation of microcirculation in the body). This contributes to better nutrition, oxygenation, and improvement of the work of the lymphatic system. This, in turn, facilitates detoxification – removing waste products and other harmful substances.

Vacuum massage smoothes the skin, and reduces cellulite and wrinkles (vacuum facial massage). It is also one of the most effective ways to relax and unwind your muscles. It has a beneficial effect not only on the skin and muscles, but also acts on the internal organs, and improves the immune system.

Vacuum massage performed on the back involves moving a fold of skin in a strictly defined direction. This treatment stimulates acupuncture points located on the meridian of the Urinary Bladder and Du Mai, the purpose of which is primarily to mobilize the body’s defense system.

Vacuum massage – indications.

Cupping massage is primarily a relaxing, and warming up treatment. In states of fatigue, excessive stress or increased nervous tension, it is performed mainly on both sides of the spine.

In addition, cupping massage is recommended for:

  • problems with muscles (increased muscle tension, myalgia);
  • pain in joint (degenerative, traumatic, rheumatic);
  • headache (including migraines);
  • neck and spine pain caused by excessive muscle tension;
  • blood circulation disorders in the limbs;
  • bronchitis, bronchial asthma (a combination of vacuum massage and classic cupping is very good).

 

 

Vacuum massage – contraindications.

Contraindications for cupping massage are the same as for cupping.

Attention! After the treatment, petechiae (hyperemia) may appear in the massaged areas. The appearance of petechiae is a sign of blood stagnation taking place. They usually disappear within a few days.

Cupping – indications.

  • upper respiratory tract infections (acute – pharyngitis or tracheitis, catarrhal infections, colds, flu;
  • chronic – recurrent angina, hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils);
  • lower respiratory tract infections (acute – bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy;
  • chronic – bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic cough manifested as airway hyperresponsiveness);
  • prophylaxis (strengthening the immune system), also preventing pressure ulcers;
  • bedwetting;
  • absence of menstruation, painful menstruation;
  • acute and subacute neuralgia and myalgia;
  • muscular ailments of the back, muscle-related pains in the spine and neck;
  • acute radiculitis;
  • chronic and acute pain in the sacro-lumbar region;
  • sciatica;
  • chronic and acute arthritis;
  • headaches (including migraines);
  • vegetative (organ) neuroses;
  • blood supply problems in a given area.

Cupping - contraindications.

  • skin inflammatory changes (purulent, fungal or allergic);
  • blood clotting disorder (e.g. haemophilia);
  • increased fragility of blood vessels (broken capillaries);
  • shortness of breath (respiratory and / or circulatory failure, asthmatic state);
  • autoimmune diseases;
  • states of general exhaustion of the organism;
  • heart defects and diseases;
  • anemia;
  • fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius;
  • unstable arterial pressure (with spikes over 200 mmHg), untreated hypertension;
  • tuberculosis;
  • active neoplastic disease;
  • seizures;
  • menstruation.

In the event of an injury (contusion, sprain) and the presence of edema and subcutaneous hemorrhage, cupping should not be performed within the first 24 hours after the injury.

Cupping should also not be performed under the influence of alcohol, immediately after a meal or during first four months od pregnancy.