Cupping

Cupping Therapies

TCM Cupping is an ancient healing art. Archaeological records show that it stretches back 7000 years.

Areas of the body affected by disease and stagnation are targeted with the application of suction cups. Suction is applied to areas of the body associated with Chinese medicine meridian theory or Jing Lou theory.

Cupping is also commonly used in traditional medicine from other countries around the world.

How cupping works

Cupping works on traditional Chinese medicine chi energy theory. Through cupping, white blood cells are directed to specific areas of the body to exact an immune response. Cupping can draw out diseases like colds and flu through specific gateway points in the early stages of an attack. 

Areas of the skin become affected with telltale ‘cupping marks’. These marks act to stimulate the immune system of the human body.

If an area of the body is experiencing pain or myofascial tissue damage, blood supply to the area may be slightly anaerobic. This is due to the inability of blood to flow freely through the area. When cupping is applied, anaerobic blood is drawn to the surface. This results in a noticeable difference to damaged or pain affected tissue.

Cupping is known to help all types of chronic and acute pain patterns as well as lessen the symptoms of cold and flu.

Cupping in depth

Chinese medicine is seen to help with problems such as:

  • Fertitlity

  • Hormonal Imbalances

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Allergies

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Immunity

  • Colds & flu

  • Sinus issues

  • Acute pain

  • Cronic pain

  • Paralysis

Cupping in Depth

Cupping therapy has been in the Chinese medicine pantheon from the very beginning of its development. Originally, bamboo cups were used but over the centuries rubber and glass cups were developed.

Cups are applied using the temporary application of flame inside the cup before quickly applying the cup to the body creating an absence of oxygen, and therefore a vacuum, inside the cup. This causes the cup to suck into the skin about 4 to 5 mm. This draws blood from the capillaries to the surface of the skin.

If an area of the body is experiencing pain or has some damaged myofascial tissue from either a muscle tear, poor posture or repetitive use of a particular area of the body, the blood supply to the area may have become slightly anaerobic. This is due to the impeded ability of blood to flow freely through the area.

When cupping is applied for the purpose of pain relief, anaerobic blood is drawn to the surface. There is a noticeable difference to damaged or pain affected tissue when cupping is applied.

Damaged, pain affected tissue will become crimson or purplish in nature after cupping, as opposed to undamaged tissue where there will only be mild redness or pinkness. These cupping marks can last up to a week as the body goes into a directed state of immune response. This is a type of pseudo bruising.

Though no impact has occurred, the body treats the cupping mark as if it were a bruise. After around 12 hours, a dark cupping mark with strong yellow sub-dermal colour may be seen. This is because the white blood cells of the body rush to the area to begin a direct healing process on the intra-cellular matrix and muscle tissue.

Cupping also works on the traditional Chinese medicine level of Chi energy. Cupping can draw out febrile diseases like colds and flu through specific gateway points in the early stages of cold and flu attack.

Throughout the centuries cupping therapy has spread to many parts of the world. In Melbourne, it is not uncommon for a Greek or Italian grandmother to know how to apply cupping, particularly for chest infection or cold and flu. In these families, cupping has been passed down through the centuries as a family remedy.

Cupping is also seen in traditional Arabic medicine prescribed by the prophet Mohammed (SAW). It has been seen as a highly potent psycho-spiritual and physiological medicine for many centuries and is a recommended therapy at least once a year.