Cupping

History of Cupping

Cupping is a traditional practice that involves placing suction glass cups on the skin as an alternative treatment. It has many names and can be also known in different languages as, bahnkes, bekam, buhang, bentusa, kuyukaku, gak hoi, or hijaamah.

The practice of cupping is dated back to 3000 B.C. in Ebers, Papyrus and referred to in the medical textbook. It is also mentioned in Egypt and China and Ancient Greece and has been used for curing internal diseases or structural problems.

Mechanics of Cupping

The mechanics of cupping in ancient Greek worked through the theory of restoring balance to the four “humors” or the main components of the body. The four humors are made of blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. The method of cupping sucks the skin from pressure created in the cup and draws out the blood that is said to be bad blood from the body. It is a part of European medicine’s humoral medicine.

In China, it is also a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The theory behind it is that the stagnant blood and lymphs are dispelled and helps to improve the flow of Qi, or the energy life force. The mechanics behind cupping is when the glass are heated and placed on the skin, the oxygen is extinguished and therefore produces a vacuuming effect, which serves to pull on the skin and use pressure to extract blood out. Bamboo, plastic, and glass, as well as other materials have been used in cupping. Cupping has been said to have a pressuring effect that can pull at the tissue up to four inches deep.

Methods of Cupping

There are two types of cupping methods: Wet cupping and Dry cupping. Dry cupping uses heat from the flame to suction out the toxin and blood of the skin. Wet cupping requires small cuts to be made on the skin to draw out blood and can be used as a substitute for venesection.

Dry Cupping

Dry cupping or fire cupping is performed with cups that can look like balls or bells that can be 1-3 inches in diameters. First the cups are heated with open flame or dunked in hot scented oils. They are then placed on the skin where the hot air from the cups start to cool and contract, pulling on the skin slowly.

Wet Cupping

Wet cupping or also known as blood cupping involves making small scratches and pinches of the skin to draw out blood before the cupping method. This helps to draw out more blood.

Benefits

• Improve blood circulation
• Improve headache
• Stimulate the digestive system
• Helps remove blockages in colon
• Release toxins
• Activate the Lymphatic System

Cupping is said to be Effective for:

• Common cold
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Musculoskeletal conditions
• Respiratory Diseases
• Disease of the trachea and chest

Risk of Cupping

Although cupping can be an interesting alternative for ailing many diseases and conditions, the method itself can have some risk and cons. The process of cup suctioning can leave temporary suction marks. Also, because fire cupping uses heat and fire, there can be a small chance of burns. Cupping should also not be performed on the breast area of a woman as it can affect the menstrual cycle. Overcupping can also lead to potential blod clots.