Cupping Therapy

See also : Acupressure
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a local suction is created on the skin; practitioners believe this mobilizes blood flow in order to promote healing.[1] Suction is created using heat (fire) or mechanical devices (hand or electrical pumps). It is known in local languages as baguan/baguar, badkesh, banki, bahnkes, bekam, buhang, bentusa, kyukaku, gak hoi, Hijamah, kavaa (ކަވާ), singhi among others.
Broadly speaking there are two types of cupping:

• dry cupping : The cupping procedure commonly involves creating a small area of low air pressure next to the skin. However, there is variety in the tools used, the method of creating the low pressure, and the procedures followed during the treatment. Fire cupping is a treatment where as a cotton ball dipped in 70% or greater alcohol is lit and the cotton ball is then introduced inside of the cup for a brief second and than the cup is placed on the patient, as the heat disipates the cooling action creates the firm suction. The cups can be moved around the patients body along the meridians and at specific points to help with immune boosting and other modalities. Dry cupping appeals more to a "therapeutic and relaxation approach
• bleeding or wet cupping (controlled medicinal bleeding) with wet cupping being more common. Wet cupping provides a more "curative-treatment approach.

Special Precautions of Cupping Therapy

• Generally, large, thickly muscled areas are selected. Patients should be comfortably positioned. It should be noted that cups are prone to drop off bone edges and hairy areas. To avoid the loss of suction, which will result in the cups falling off, patients should remain still when manipulating the cups.
• Using cups of different sizes is determined by the cupping location. Flash cupping should be used on areas that are difficult for cups to stick.
• Precautions should be taken to avoid scalding the skin. Prolonged retention and overheating of the mouth of the cup may cause blisters to arise. In the event that this occurs, small blisters should be covered with sterile gauze to avoid scraping; bigger ones should be aspirated with a sterile syringe, followed by the application of a disinfectant or sterile gauze. If there is purple or even black agglomeration left, the warm towel can be used; or we can press the local area, in order to promote the blood circulation, and relieve the symptom.
• Cupping is contraindicated on patients with skin allergies, ulcers, or edema, as well as on the precordium and places supplied with large blood vessels. It is also contraindicated for those that have high fevers accompanied by convulsions, and on the abdominal and sacral areas of pregnant women.

The benefits of Cupping Therapy are

• This therapy can improve circulation
• boost your immune system
• stimulate energy flow and better overall health.
• Open the chest and lungs
• Alleviate menstrual cramps
• Diminish digestive problems
• Clear up coughs, wheezing and other respiratory problems
• Halt migraines
• Manage acute and chronic pain
• Reduces pain and swelling
• Rids body of any generally toxic elements