Are you suffering from chronic pain, muscle tension, or poor circulation? Cupping therapy might help you. It decreases your stress levels, which means it is also good for your mental health. Enhanced blood flow, reduced inflammation, and detoxifying the body – these are some of the advantages you can get from this therapy. We show you the therapeutic benefits of cupping therapy in modern wellness and why it will help you feel better.
What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is a form of alternative medicine. People have practiced it for thousands of years across many civilizations, but it has roots in traditional Chinese and Middle Eastern medicine. In the simplest terms, when performing cupping, the practitioners place cups on the skin to create suction. Many believe that this practice heals and has numerous health benefits.
Is It Used Today?
Yes, cupping therapy is widely used today. In fact, it is becoming a regular part of modern wellness practices. Wellness centers practice cupping because it boosts circulation and reduces inflammation. Also, it makes you calmer and helps you sleep better. These things are great for your mental state.
Fortunately, many states today are making changes to improve mental health services for their communities. An example of this is the Mental Health Parity Act in Georgia. With this bill, Georgia makes insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorders equal to coverage for other medical conditions. What this means is that more people will get treatment and be able to take part in wellness activities. More people will reap the benefits of alternative approaches such as cupping therapy.
Types of Cupping
Each type has its specific methods and purposes. The main types are:
- Dry cupping
- Wet cupping
- Fire cupping
Dry Cupping
A practitioner puts a cup made of glass, bamboo, or silicone on your skin. They use a pump to create a vacuum inside the cup. Either that, or they head up the air inside the cup and then place it on your skin. The vacuum causes the skin to rise and the blood vessels to expand. This increases blood flow to the area.
Wet Cupping
Wet cupping, also known as hijama, involves the same initial process as dry cupping but with an additional step. After the suction has been applied for a few minutes, the cups are removed, and small, superficial incisions are made on the skin. The cups are then reapplied to draw out a small amount of blood.
Fire Cupping
In this technique, a cotton ball soaked in alcohol is ignited and placed inside the cup to heat the air. The cup is then quickly put on the skin, stimulating the blood vessels to expand. Furthermore, as the air cools down, a vacuum pulls the skin upward.
The Process of Cupping
First, you and the tools need to be prepared. You should discuss your health history and goals with the practitioner. They will figure out what type of cupping will suit you best. The practitioner will examine the skin to ensure there are no cuts, wounds, or infections that could be aggravated by cupping. Then, they will clear the area. The skin where the cups will be placed is thoroughly cleaned to prevent infection and ensure proper adhesion of the cups.
Once everything is ready, the practitioner selects the appropriate size and type of cups. The cups are on your skin for 5 to 20 minutes, depending on your treatment goals and comfort level.
When the session finishes, the practitioner removes the cups. They clean the area they have treated to remove any residue or blood in the case of wet cupping. They check if your skin has gotten too red or irritated and other reactions. After all this, you should not take a hot shower and expose your body to cold for at least a few hours when the session finishes. Drink a lot of water! Help your body flush out toxins that were released.
What Are the Therapeutic Benefits of Cupping Therapy in Modern Wellness?
Is there scientific evidence that cupping works? Yes. Research shows that cupping can make you feel comfortable and relaxed. This relaxation helps your brain produce natural painkillers, which improve pain control.
There are many therapeutic benefits of cupping therapy in modern wellness:
- Reduce muscle tension and decrease pain
- Enhance blood flow, which promotes healing and reduces inflammation
- Draw out toxins and impurities from the body, which boosts the immune system
- Relax and reduce stress
- Treat acne by promoting the removal of toxins from the skin and improving skin tone and texture
Cupping Therapy in Modern Wellness Practices
Modern wellness centers often integrate cupping therapy with other treatments. One of the examples is acupuncture. When combined, acupuncture enhances the therapeutic benefits of cupping therapy in modern wellness. While acupuncture uses needles to stimulate specific points, cupping adds the benefit of suction. This greatly improves blood flow and reduces muscle tension, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. Cupping is often used alongside massage therapy as well. It enhances relaxation and muscle relief. The suction from cupping helps to loosen tight muscles. This makes the massage more effective, which makes you calmer and feel better overall.
Cupping in Mental Health Treatment
Can cupping therapy help you improve your mental state? Yes. Many treatment centers don’t limit their services to behavioral therapies. They practice mindfulness and yoga therapy to make sure they treat every aspect of your health. When combined with cupping therapy, these approaches are shown to be even more successful. Cupping makes you relaxed, which will then reduce your symptoms of stress and anxiety. Also, regular cupping sessions can help improve sleep quality. With a better sleeping schedule and good sleep, you will feel better and see everything more clearly.
Improve Your Physical and Mental Health With Alternative Therapies
There are many therapeutic benefits of cupping therapy in modern wellness. You get relief from the pain, your blood circulates better, you get to relax, and you detox. On top of that, it improves your mental health. It makes you calmer and more peaceful. To incorporate cupping into your wellness routine, consult a qualified practitioner. Combine it with therapies like acupuncture or massage and maintain regular sessions. These practices will help you achieve your long-term health goals.
This article was written for WHN by Chloe Petruzzo who is the Director of Admissions at Time Wellness Georgia. With years of experience in mental health treatment, Chloe is passionate about supporting people on their healing journey. She focuses on improving the admissions process, breaking down barriers, and ensuring access to care while building strong relationships with mental health professionals, community organizations, clients, and their families.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
Content may be edited for style and length.
References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6435947/
https://www.webmd.com/balance/cupping-therapy
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16554-cupping
https://www.healthline.com/health/cupping-therapy
https://timewellnessga.com/mental-health-month-why-awareness-matters/
https://www.worldhealth.net/news/why-mental-health-important/
https://www.worldhealth.net/news/how-boost-your-circulation-naturally-and-why-it-important/
