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Archaeologists have found evidence in China of cupping dating back to 1,000 B.C. Cupping is a method of treatment in which a jar is attached to the skin surface to cause local congestion through the negative pressure created. An incision is lightly made to allow the congested blood to ooze out. This type of treatment has been practiced by the Egyptians, Babylonians and Chinese for thousands of years. Cupping is a therapeutic process of removing unclean blood from the body and is a form of medical treatment which has been recommended by Shariah.

Types of Cupping

Fire Cupping
Fire cupping is a treatment where a cotton ball dipped in 70% or greater alcohol is lit and the cotton ball is then introduced inside of the cup for a brief second. The cup is then placed on the patient. As the heat dissipates, the cooling action creates the firm suction. The cups can be moved around the patient’s body along the meridians and at specific points to help with immune boosting and other modalities.

Dry Cupping
The cupping procedure commonly involves creating a small area of low air pressure next to the skin. However, there is variety in the tools used, the method of creating the low pressure, and the procedures followed during the treatment.

The cups can be various shapes including balls or bells, and may range in size from 1 to 3 inches (25 to 76 mm) across the opening. Plastic and glass are the most common materials used today, replacing the horn, pottery, bronze and bamboo cups used in earlier times. The low air pressure required may be created by heating the cup or the air inside it with an open flame or a bath in hot scented oils, then placing it against the skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it contracts and draws the skin slightly inside. More recently, vacuum can be created with a mechanical suction pump acting through a valve located at the top of the cup. Rubber cups are also available that squeeze the air out and adapt to uneven or bony surfaces.

In practice, cups are normally used only on softer tissue that can form a good seal with the edge of the cup. They may be used singly or with many to cover a larger area. They may be used by themselves or placed over an acupuncture needle. Skin may be lubricated, allowing the cup to move across the skin slowly.

Depending on the specific treatment, skin marking is common after the cups are removed. This may be a simple red ring that disappears quickly, the discolouration left by the cups are normally from toxins penetrating the skin, coming from inside out as a form of fluid film, and vapour left in the cups.

It is possible that more aggressive treatments can result in bruising especially such as dragging the cups while suctioned from one place to another to break down muscle fiber. Usually treatments are not painful, but treatment is discontinued if the subject experiences more than minor discomfort.

More about Cupping

Cupping removes the toxins around the organs and limbs so that can send messages to the brain efficiently. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place.

Cupping therapy has been further developed as a mean to open the “Meridians” of the body. Meriddians are the conduits in the body through which energy flows to every part of the body and through every organ and tissues. There are five Meridians on the back that, when opened allow invigorating energy to travel the whole length of the body. It has been found that cupping is probably the best way of opening those meridians.

Cupping has also been found to affect the body up to four inches into the tissues to release toxins, activate the lymphatic system, clear colon blockages, help activate and clear the veins, activate the skin, clear stretch marks and improve varicose veins.

Cupping helps the system to balance sugar, iron, cholesterol, calcium, pressure and hormones. It even controls the blood cells and its shown to be the best remedy for lupus.

Cupping is the best deep tissue massage available. It is very useful and very safe.

Cupping brings fresh blood to the area so it tends to improve circulation. It also helps to open up the chest and arteries and benefits the lungs and can even benefit menstrual problems and digestive problems, too. Most commonly its used for aches and pains of various types as well as respiratory problems, cough, wheezing, high blood pressure, sinus, arthritis , sugar diabetes , stress, migraine tumor , gout, pinched nerve, skin diseases and over 72 types of diseases which are relating to blood. It looks like something out of medical alchemy but it is just an alternate method of treatment.

Each cupping session lasts for about 10 to 15 minutes and it can be repeated, once the marks are cleared, until the problem is resolved.

Cupping should be performed by an experience practitioner who has been trained.