Search this site
Home‎ > ‎

Cupping

Cupping therapy is another method to open up the meridian channels, through which qi flows to reach all parts of the body.  In traditional Chinese medicine, cupping is a method of applying acupressure by creating a vacuum next to the patient's skin. The therapy is used to relieve what is called "stagnation" in TCM terms, and is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Cupping is also used to treat back, neck, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal pain amongst other applications

There are five meridians on the back and if these are properly open then energy can travel the full length of the body. Cupping is typically practised on the back to exploit these meridians.  

The Chinese who practice the art of cupping have found that cupping affects the body's tissue up to four inches deep; this causes the tissue to release toxins, clears blockages in the colon, activates the lymphatic system and helps to clear the veins and arteries.  Cupping is considered to be the best form of deep tissue massage available, safe and reliable for most people.


Cupping therapy has been used for thousands of years. Although it is often associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine, it was known and used in Ancient Egypt, Greece and other Eastern European and Middle Eastern cultures.  Its use is recored in the earliest medical treatments, and it remains a widespread and popular treatment.


While cupping therapy is safe, there are a few conditions for which it is not suitable: 
 
  • Pregnant women.
  • Anyone who has a serious heart condition or who is prone to bleeding.
  • Anyone who has any type of cancer.
  • People who have suffered from trauma, skin ulcers, injury or have fractures.

The Treatment

The principle of the treatment depends upon a vaccum being created, and this is done by warming the air in glass cup which is then quickly placed flush against the patient's skin. As the air cools in the cup, a vacuum forms that pulls up on the skin, stimulating the acupressure effect and opening the poores in the patient's skin within the cup. The patient's skin is usually treated with a light body oil to obtain an effective air-tight seal between the skin and the cup.

The cups are roughly bell shaped and are about 3" in size. Depending upon the treatment required about a number between 4 and 12 such cups would be applied to the patient's back.

Depending upon the patient, and the precise circumstances of the treatment, a number of circular purple-red marks may appear on the patients skin after treatment as a result of blood being drawn towards the surface of the skin by the acupressure. If such marks appear, they are harmless and a temporary phenomena which should clear within a week.

Combination with other Treatments

Depending upon the patient's condition and the treatment being administered, it is not uncommon for Cupping to be combined with a course of Acupuncture or Massage. However, the practitioner will discuss this fully with the patient before any treatment commences.

Contact Details

Chorleywood Easy Healing
 
Telephone:
01923 888 488
 
E-mail:
 
Practice Hours:
By Appointment
 
Address:
Well-Being Centre
(above Parade Pharmacy)
19 Main Parade
Whitelands Avenue
Chorleywood
Herts. WD3 5RB.