The Ancient Art of Cupping In the alternative health community, there is currently a renewed interest in one of the most ancient of medical practices: cupping, or the application of suction cups to the body. We really don't know where cupping originated. Some say the practice began in China where archaeologists have found evidence of cupping dating back to 1,000 B.C. However, the Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, describes the systematic use of cupping by the early Egyptians, as far back as 1,550 B.C. In both of these ancient societies, cupping was highly respected as a treatment for disease and as a method of routine health maintenance. The ancient Greek physicians also practiced cupping extensively. Hippocrates (c. 400 B.C.) used cupping for both internal diseases and structural problems. A later Greek physician, Galen (c. 150 A.D.), wrote extensively about cupping as a means to reduce fevers and move stagnant blood. Cupping continued as a practice throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe, England and even in America up into the early 20th Century. In the early days, cups were made of animal horns or bamboo. Later, they began to be made out of pottery and today, cups are usually made of glass or plastic. Typically, cups are round vessels, 1" to 3" in diameter, and are applied to the body with vacuum suction. The vacuum is created either by means of heating the air inside the cup or by a mechanical pump. The result is that the cup sticks to the body and creates a local area of low pressure, which causes the blood to gather under the cup near the surface of the body. From a western scientific perspective, cupping creates pressure in the local tissues by drawing blood to the surface from areas underneath. Through this process, fresh blood moves into the areas below the surface. The result is an immediate improvement of circulation in the affected area. It has been found that cupping affects the circulation 4 inches below the surface of the skin where the cups are applied. As a result, cupping can directly influence the health of the underlying tissues and internal organs. In traditional Asian medicine, the body's subtle energy or "qi", always follows blood and vice versa. So, if we move the blood in a particular direction, we are also moving the "qi" energy. Therefore, cupping not only improves the circulation of blood but also of the "qi" energy. Nothing helps to unblock stuck energy and relax tight muscles faster and more deeply than cupping. Also, it is believed that cupping improves the function of the internal organs and is indicated for a whole array of digestive, respiratory or gynecological problems where stagnation of "qi" energy or blood is indicated. For example, if a patient is suffering from congestion in the lungs, cupping the back will often reduce the congestion substantially. Or, if a patient is suffering from abdominal cramps, cupping on the abdomen can bring immediate relief. The general benefits of cupping are improved circulation, purification of blood, regulation of the autonomic nervous system and an overall cooling effect. In addition, cupping reduces pain and swelling and speeds the natural healing process in the specific areas of application. Cupping therapy is effective in the treatment of painful joints and muscles, digestive disorders, headaches, respiratory disorders, some skin conditions such as boils, eczema, etc., facial paralysis, weakness of the muscles, high blood pressure and common colds. One of the side benefits of cupping is that it feels great. The mild pulling sensation helps to release the muscles and calm the sympathetic nervous system, thus allowing a deep relaxation to move through the whole body. It is not unusual for a patient to fall asleep while the cups are on, waking up afterwards feeling relaxed and refreshed. Cupping therapy is available from most acupuncturists as well as some massage and shiatsu practitioners. Precautionary Note |
