What One Can Expect from Cupping Therapy
One of the most effective modalities of traditional Chinese medicine is cupping therapy. This ancient Oriental technique has been practiced in China and various countries of East Asia for thousands of years to help improve the health of the body and address a number of conditions. Cupping is often used by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners to treat blood and energy (Qi) stagnation caused by several factors including various illnesses and physical injury. It also is used to address gastrointestinal conditions, resolve depression, relieve lower back pain, heal arthritic pain, treat respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and asthma, wash away toxins from the body and remove heat.
Cupping is a procedure that is designed to relieve muscle spasms in the deepest tissues in the body and remove toxins from the body. Our body cells need oxygen to live. As they take in oxygen, they take out out carbon dioxide from the body at the same time. When blood and energy circulation stagnate due to a blockage in one of their pathways, the cells will be unable to remove carbon dioxide in the body. These result in toxin or acid build up and the cell dies. When there is blockage in one or more energy pathways, pain usually is felt in the area where the blockage is located. When the dead cells and/or toxins remain in the joints or muscles, it causes the rest of the toxins and dead cells to accumulate in the body resulting in further pain and blockage. The body may not have the adequate means to get rid of these waste materials, and so it needs a little help from detoxifying techniques such as cupping. Cupping helps suck or vacuum out the blockages in the middle and deepest layers of muscle tissues forcing the toxins out to the surface of the skin. Once on the surface, the practitioner can easily cleanse out the toxins. This ancient procedure eliminates toxins from the blood vessels, as well. A typical cupping procedure takes about 10 minutes. Not only are the toxins removed but the body is resupplied with clean, new and fresh blood and the energy level of the body is boosted, as well.
The results often are impressive after a cupping procedure. It can lead to positive changes in a short period of time as it is powerful enough to cleanse the deepest layers of the body. Cupping can have a profound effect on the intensity and speed of long-term healing for many health problems.
Christina Prieto is an Orlando acupuncturist, a certified Yoga instructor and the founder of Harmony Wellness Center in Central Florida.