If you’ve seen signs or ads for Chinese cupping therapy in Toronto ON area, or other major cities, you may be wondering exactly what it is. While it’s a fairly new concept in the west, it’s actually an ancient practice that’s been used for thousands of years in the East. It is believed that ancient Egyptians used this kind of therapy dating back to 1,550 B.C. So, what exactly is Chinese Cupping?
Cupping is a form of alternative medicine that involves placing special cups onto your skin. This creates suction after just a few minutes. There are many reasons that people get this kind of therapy, including:
- Reduce inflammation
- Minimize pain
- Increase blood flow and circulation
- Create a sense of relaxation and well-being
- Deep tissue massage
The cups can be made of bamboo, glass, silicone or earthenware.
There two main types of cupping: wet and dry
Dry cupping process
The therapist places a flammable ingredient such as herbs, alcohol or paper inside a cup and sets it on fire. As the fire goes out, the cup is placed on your skin. When the cupped air starts to cool, it creates a vacuum, causing your skin to redden and rise as blood vessels begin to enlarge. Then the cup is left on for about 3 minutes. A rubber pump may also be used to create the vacuum, rather than a flammable substance.
Wet cupping process
This process starts out the same as dry cupping – the cup is left in place for about 3 minutes to create a vacuum. The therapist removes the cup and with a small scalpel, makes tiny cuts on your skin; then a second suction is done to draw out a small amount of blood. It is believed that wet cupping draws out toxins and harmful substances from the body. Your therapist may give you an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Talk to your acupuncture therapist about including Chinese cupping therapy in Toronto ON or your local area.
