Part IV Alternative Treatments for Chronic Pain

Health Tip - Alternative Treatments for Chronic Pain (see tip 2/22/13)

This week is Cupping Therapy 

                                       

What is Cupping Therapy?

A form of manual therapy which targets Acupuncture meridian with the intent of moving blood, fluids and Qi stagnation.

Cupping is an ancient Chinese form of "Traditional Medicine" in which a local suction is created on the skin.

Although, Cupping is most commonly associated with Chinese medicine it has been used in other cultures throughout the world.

Cupping is a simple method of pulling "Stuck," stagnant, and congealed blood and fluids out of an injured area.

Plastic or glass cups are placed on the skin and then applied using suction. The cups are kept on from three to fifteen minutes or according to the judgment of the acupuncturist.

       

What does Cupping do?

Cupping releases tight, painful muscles, relieves pain, and increases blood circulation.

                            

There are two types of Cupping Therapies:

The Suction Cup Method is when air is suctioned from the cup manually after the cup is placed on the skin of the patient. Because of the vacuum created inside the cup, the patients skin then rises up inside the cup and blood flow rushes to the area.

      

The Traditional Method is administered by taking a glass cup or jar containing a cotton ball swabbed with alcohol. The cotton ball is then ignited. After the cotton ball has been removed, the cup is then placed at a specific location on the patients skin.

    

 What is Cupping used for?

• Muscle aches and pain (back pain)
• Relieve stress
• Tension
• Lower blood pressure
• Digestive problems
• Menstrual
• Treat coughs
• Asthma
• Symptoms of the common cold

                      

No pain just slight tugging of the skin.

 

                  

Sliding Cupping, leaves the muscles of the back relaxed and opens up movement and motility.

                                           

The main purpose of Cupping is to relieve the pain of tight and sore muscles.

        

Another purpose of Cupping is to pull blood and body fluids up to the surface of the skin, removing it from stuck areas like swollen knee joints or frozen shoulders.

                                              

As a result, Cupping will often produce a red or purple circle "Acupuncture Hickey" upon the skin that may take a few days to heal. These circles are only dark colored if the area that is cupped has "stuck" body fluids and blood.

            

                                   

This only occurs because stuck fluid and bloods congeal and act like glue, keeping joints stiff and swollen and gluing muscle fibers.

                                               

Just be careful if you are planning to wear a dress or shirt which exposes your back after a Cupping Treatment, you may stir up some attention from those curious about your circles.

                           

Most people find Cupping (the suction) to be a wonderful relaxing, comfortable, and effective treatment.

Try it!

Remember information is Power

    

For more information go to www.acupuncturetoday.com, www.acupuncture.com, www.en.wikipedia.org, www.voices.yahoo.com, or www.balfourhealing.com, 
  
Next week - Tai Chi     


Live well
Doc V