What are the different types of cupping?

Cupping was originally performed using animal horns. Later, the “cups” were made from bamboo and then ceramic. The suction was primarily created through the use of heat. The cups were originally heated with fire and then applied to the skin. As they cooled, the cups drew the skin inside.
Modern cupping is often performed using glass cups that are rounded like balls and open on one end.
There are two main categories of cupping performed today:

• Dry cupping: is a suction-only method.
• Wet cupping: may involve both suction and controlled medicinal bleeding.

Your practitioner, your medical condition, and your preferences will help determine what method is used.

What should I expect during a cupping treatment?

During a cupping treatment, a cup is placed on the skin and then heated or suctioned onto the skin. The cup is often heated with fire using alcohol, herbs, or paper that’s placed directly into the cup. The fire source is removed, and the heated cup is placed with the open side directly on your skin.
Some modern cupping practitioners have shifted to using rubber pumps to create suction versus more traditional heat methods.
When the hot cup is placed on your skin, the air inside the cup cools and creates a vacuum that draws the skin and muscle upward into the cup. Your skin may turn red as the blood vessels respond to the change in pressure.
With dry cupping, the cup is set in place for a set time, usually between 5 and 10 minutes. With wet cupping, cups are usually only in place for a few minutes before the practitioner removes the cup and makes a small incision to draw blood.
After the cups are removed, the practitioner may cover the previously cupped areas with ointment and bandages. This helps prevent infection. Any mild bruising or other marks usually go away within 10 days of the session.
Cupping is sometimes performed along with acupuncture treatments. For best results, you may also want to fast or eat only light meals for two to three hours before your cupping session.

What conditions can cupping treat?

Cupping has been used to treat a wide variety of conditions. It may be particularly effective at easing conditions that create muscle aches and pains.
Since the cups can also be applied to major acupressure points, the practice is possibly effective at treating digestive issues, skin issues, and other conditions commonly treated with acupressure.
A 2012 review of studies suggests cupping therapy’s healing power may be more than just a placebo effect. The researchers found that cupping therapy may help with the following conditions, among others:

• shingles
• facial paralysis
• cough and dyspnea
• acne
• lumbar disc herniation
• cervical spondylosis

THE BENEFITS OF CUPPING?

Cupping therapy 'involves the positioning of therapy cups at certain points on the body and creating suction. The motive is to move the blood from the interior aspect of the body, closer to the surface to facilitate healing and removal of dysfunction that has been sitting latent in the body due to bad blood flow that can occur from a variety of reasons. It is easily infused into your regular massage session along with manual massage techniques, creating a more effective treatment that will improve the overall results from your session. Cupping is not a tool to be overlooked in the treatment mix!

• Cupping is very effective treatment for many ailments and symptoms
• Reduces muscle tension and related pain
• Speeds up muscle recovery and overall healing
• Helps to alleviate symptoms of chronic illness
• Aids in detoxification
• Reduces inflammation
• Helps break up scar tissue
• Heals bruises faster
• Increases range of motion