The Guide to Doing Cupping Correctly
Cupping is a technique that can improve your health and provide great benefits. It is an effective remedy commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is best to do cupping with the help of another person. Combine cupping with acupuncture into one treatment, though it could also be used alone.
Cupping involves applying glass cups on the skin, creating a vacuum, and pulling up the tissue in an affected area by suctioning out the air. This way, the underlying tissue is sucked, or raised, partway into the cup. When the cupping technique is used in the proper way, and on the correct areas of the body, the healing process can be induced.
So before you turn to this Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy, identify the affected area and consult your doctor to avoid the side effects. Here is a little guide to doing cupping correctly:
1. Invest in the glass cups
While it is best to use special glass cups, you can also use your ordinary glass cups. Just make sure you wash them thoroughly. Use the smaller 60 ml (2 oz) glass cups for areas with bony joints and the larger 125 ml (4 oz) cups for broader areas with more flesh. There are also air cupping kits to invest in.
2. Prepare your skin
Clean your skin with water and soap, and dry well. You can also apply oil to the skin to prevent irritation and make it easier to reposition and move the cups during treatment.
3. Create the flame
Use long medical tweezers to soak a sterile cotton ball in rubbing alcohol. Drain any excess rubbing alcohol. The cotton ball does not have to be dripping wet. Using a candle or lighter, carefully light the cotton on fire. Be careful and keep all the flammable materials away from you.
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4. Apply the cup to the affected area
Insert the burning cotton ball into the glass cup and keep it there for 4 seconds. Once the cup is warm, remove the burning cotton and quickly apply the cup to your skin. Apply one glass at a time to avoid problems. Be sure to extinguish the fire.
5. Keep the glass cups on your skin for around 10 minutes
Leave the cups until your skin beneath them starts turning from red to violet, for around 10 minutes. Remove the cups by lifting them off with the hands. Do not keep them on for up to 15 minutes. The skin discoloration can last from a couple of days to a few weeks, but it is rarely painful.
The purpose of cupping is to improve circulation, eliminate ‘heat,’ reduce pain, and pull out the toxins from your body’s tissues. There are four types of cupping to use, namely dry cupping, massage cupping, wet cupping, and vacuum cupping. It is highly recommended that a professional therapist does cupping.
Cupping can result in some bruising, which is relatively painless. If the marks will not fade after a week or you will experience pain, consult your doctor as soon as possible. You can do cupping every day, but for no more than 15 minutes and for no more than 10 days.
Many famous people use the cupping therapy, including Olympic athletes like Michael Phelps and celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Lady Gaga, Jessica Simpson, and Victoria Beckham. Are you going to join them? Have you ever tried a cupping therapy?
6. Follow proper aftercare to maximize benefits and minimize side effects
After your cupping session, drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins that have been released from your tissues. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods for at least 24 hours. Take a warm shower rather than a hot bath, and gently pat the treated areas dry instead of rubbing them.
Keep the cupped areas covered and warm for the first few hours after treatment. Avoid exposing the marks to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. Light stretching or gentle movement can help maintain the improved circulation, but avoid intense exercise for 24-48 hours.
Apply a thin layer of natural moisturizer like coconut oil or aloe vera to prevent the skin from drying out. If you experience any unusual symptoms such as excessive pain, infection signs, or marks that worsen rather than fade, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Remember that proper aftercare is just as important as the cupping technique itself for achieving optimal results.
Sources: cuppingresource.com mindbodygreen.com wikihow.com
