What is Cupping?
Cupping (ba guan fad) has been a part of Chinese Medicine for over 2,500 years. It is an ancient Chinese therapy that uses a partial vacuum to intentionally create therapeutic petechiae (tiny red, flat spots) and ecchymosis (bruising) in the dermis.
Here at Colorado Acupuncture and Wellness, the use of smooth glass cups are heated using a cotton ball soaked in alcohol, lit, then placed inside the cup creating a negative pressure on the skin, aka, a suction. This draws your skin, fascia, and superficial muscle layer up into the cup itself. The cups are left in place for a period of time, and are slid across the skin (with the assistance of oil). Cupping does not hurt. It feels like an inverse massage. Discoloration and bruising of the skin is normal and should be expected.. These marks usually fade away within a few days to a couple of weeks. The end result is a greater sense of health and well-being. Cupping is used as a standalone session to address specific concerns, or as a facial rejuvenation service.
Is Cupping Safe?
When performed properly in a clean environment by a trained health professional, cupping is a safe and effective treatment; but, it is not for everyone. Like acupuncture, cupping treatments are unique to each individual and their current needs. Cupping should not be used on people who bleed easily, have active skin lesions, skin ulcers, swelling, trauma, inflammation, infection, or burns (including sunburn). Caution is taken if patients are currently taking anti-coagulant medications or if pregnant. Cupping should not be applied 48 hours before or 24 hours after chemotherapy treatment.
What can cupping help with?
Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that relieves aches and pains, improves blood flow, helps eliminate toxins, reduces stagnation, and also helps with respiratory and digestive issues. It loosens and lifts the connective tissues, causing the tissues to release toxins and activate the lymphatic system. This increases blood, Qi and lymph circulation, which in turn removes blockages (stagnation) and toxins, helping relieve tension, aches and pain, as well as improving the immune system.
Studies have shown that cupping helps with headache, low back pain, neck pain, knee pain, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorders, systemic infection, skin disorders, varicose veins and scars, it calms the nervous system which relieves stress and anxiety, promotes healthy digestion and metabolism, improves range of motion and flexibility, as well as helps clear respiratory congestion and asthma, and much more.
Cupping for Facial Rejuvenation
Cupping can also be used as part of a facial rejuvenation plan. As an anti-aging beauty technique, cupping of the face lightly aggravates the skin to stimulate collagen production, aiding in skin rejuvenation, without changing the appearance of skin. It also helps to soften wrinkles and fine lines, reduces puffiness, improves skin tone, relaxes muscle tension in the face, head and neck, aids in lymphatic drainage and detoxification, all with no downtime.
Treatment Frequency
There’s no one-size-fits-all cupping routine. The only rule, is that the cupping marks should be faded or disappeared before the treatment can be repeated. Treatments are recommended bi-weekly, or even weekly, to enhance circulation and increase the body’s healing responses, or until the condition which you were seeking treatment for is resolved. Cupping can be used alongside acupuncture in a treatment plan or as a stand alone therapy. The exception is facial cupping, which can be done up to three days a week, because the therapeutic results do not leave marks.
