Cupping Therapy

Fire cupping or more simply cupping is another form of traditional medicine found in many cultures worldwide. It is a method of applying acupressure by creating a vacuum against the patient’s skin. This dispels stagnation (such as stagnant blood and lymph, thereby improving Qi flow) to treat respiratory diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia and bronchitis. Cupping is also used on the back, neck and shoulders to treat musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis.

It is normal to see cupping marks or bruises on the skin where cupping therapy has been applied. These marks are indications that the treatment was successful in drawing out harmful pathogens and toxins. They appear in the form of purplish or reddish blisters on the skin and typically last for three days to a week depending on the level of toxicity within the body.

Benefits of cupping include:

• Excess fluids and toxins are easily drained away
• Loosened adhesions
• Lifting of connective tissue
• Enhanced circulation in stagnant musculature and fascia
• Stimulation of the peripheral nervous system