Cupping: Not Just a Modern Trend
How the ancient technique of Cupping is used to relieve tension, pain, and support injury recovery.
Maybe you’ve seen them at the beach or on the subway. Maybe you’ve spotted them splashed across the backs of professional athletes and Olympians. Those curious, circular hickey marks that look kinda weird, and…painful? Idk.
In fact, those “hickeys” are the calling card markings of an ancient medical art known modernly as “Cupping.” But don’t worry it isn’t painful, and it’s also far from being a recent trend.
THE ANCIENT TECHNIQUE OF CUPPING HAS BEEN WIDELY USED FOR CENTURIES IN VARIOUS CULTURES TO STIMULATE BALANCE AND BODILY HEALING.
As with so many other techniques in the health and wellness sphere, Cupping has gained momentous notoriety over the past few years. And who can blame people for being curious? When superstar athletes like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, football star James Harrison, and Goop-founder Gwyneth Paltrow make this treatment a key part of their physical recovery, it’s bound to leave a mark (so to speak…).
At my offices in Noho and Williamsburg, Brooklyn I specialize in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which utilizes Cupping in conjunction with Acupuncture as an effective method to treat a wide variety of conditions.
While it’s important to examine why Cupping methods have been proven to be so effective, the idea behind Cupping is simple.
CUPPING TECHNIQUES USE A SMALL FLAME TO HEAT THE INTERIOR OF A GLASS CUP, WHICH IS THEN QUICKLY PLACED ON THE SKIN, CREATING A VACUUM ENVIRONMENT.
A more modern method utilizes a hand pump attachment, but either technique can create the desired effect.
The skin and superficial fascia of the body are pulled up gently into the cup, stimulating blood circulation to the area. This results in that famous “hickey-like” mark (or “sha” in Chinese Medical terminology) that tend to remain on the skin post-treatment. Tired muscles and tendons recovering from long training sessions need all the oxygen they can get, and Cupping helps to make this happen. Simply put, more blood plus more oxygen, equals the perfect environment for the affected body part to heal.
IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, THE USE OF CUPPING EXPANDS BEYOND THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM, AND CAN BE USED IN THE TREATMENT OF INTERNAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS:
Muscle pain and tension
Injury Recovery
Asthma, Chest Pain
Emotional Stress
Menstrual disorders
Digestive complaints
It’s an incredibly versatile practice, and integral to this form of medicine.
Those telltale marks may appear quite strange to those who are not familiar with the process, but Cupping can provide painless and quick relief for a lot of what life throws your way.
Whether it be one too many spin classes, or an exhausting week at work, Cupping helps patients receive the relief they need.
Have questions about Cupping and whether it’s right for you? Feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to be in touch.
