What’s so hot about cupping?

Sometime ago, I was in a resort and opted for an outdoor massage, surrounded by lush greenery.  A calm oasis and a soothing massage just before dinner would make my day, or so I thought! There was a cool breeze blowing down my back, which was refreshing initially, but towards the end, I felt a bit of a chill running down my spine.

For the next few days, I felt like I had “ “cold air” (lamig in the words of the manghihilot) inside my back. I had a stiff upper back, which was affecting also the movement of my neck.  A friend introduced me to her physical therapist who did a “ventosa” or “cupping” on me. After the session, I felt so relieved — the stiffness on my back and neck disappeared, giving me complete mobility.

I experienced cupping for the first time in Shanghai when my Chinese girlfriend who was having it convinced me to do it also to “ boost my immune system.”  I felt a new surge of energy after the session.

Cupping is often practiced by therapists of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Recently, cupping has been in the news. At the recently-concluded 2016 Rio Olympics, news media buzzed about Team USA’s purple spots, which were most visible on gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps and gymnast Alex Naddour, among many other winners. The whole world is now curious about cupping’s health benefits.

What is cupping?

Cupping is an ancient technique practiced in China, Egypt, Middle East, the Philippines, and other countries. It utilizes circular suction cups to remove blood stasis in the muscles, relieve pain, and improve limited range of motion.

Basically, a set of cups is applied to the body to pull blood up to the surface via suction. The traditional instruments include bamboo or glass cups. Nowadays, plastic cups are getting popular. These range in size from a quarter of an inch to six inches in diameter.
In the bamboo or glass cups, a vacuum is created by inserting a flaming ball of cotton soaked in alcohol into the cup and quickly removing it, then applying the cup to the skin right away. This flame utilizes the oxygen, thus creating negative pressure or a vacuum within the cup that then pulls the skin up into it.  With the newer plastic cups, there is a mechanism wherein a hand pump attaches to them to suck the air out when resting on the skin surface.
In TCM, cupping is applied along the meridian lines to help move stagnations of energy and fluids. It is also for the purpose of stimulating energy and free movement of tissue and muscle. In TCM, it is believed that when there is stagnation of blood or fluids, there is no free flow of energy and when there is an entrapment of nerves or blood and lymph in the muscle tissues, there is pain and the range of motion is restricted.
Cupping is also utilized for respiratory issues, helping to relieve phlegm and mucus that is lodged, making it difficult to breathe. It also invigorates the nervous system and metabolism, keeps blood and lymph moving freely and helps to reduce water retention.

Cupping is the opposite of massage, where pressure is applied into the tissue. With cupping, pressure is pulled away from the tissue for a different effect. Depending on what is being treated, there are several ways to utilize cupping with varying results.

Effectivity of cupping

Since the Olympics began, the “purple circles” phenomenon has aroused the medical sites to comment on it, some of them dismissing it as being mere placebo.  But Dr. Mark Wiley, an internationally renowned mind-body health practitioner who has a doctorate in Oriental and alternative medicine,  says: “In my experience and practice, cupping is a great healing tool .... whether the studies vet the method or not, it surely has withstood the test of centuries in many cultures around the world. I also use it frequently. If your muscle pain needs relief and your range of motion is hampered, a few cupping sessions just may be what you need.”

* * *

Source of cupping facts: Dr. Mark Wiley for Easy Health Options Wellness Report