Cupping Therapy, you’ve probably seen it, but never quite known what it was. If so, you don’t know what you’ve been missing. This ancient Chinese therapy can stimulate the immune system, detoxify the body and promote circulation to help relieve pain and blockages.
Rescu. spoke to Cupping therapy specialist Ivy Han of the luxurious Liangzi Health Oasis to uncover everything you need to know, and all the benefits of Cupping Therapy.
RESCU: What exactly is cupping?
Ivy Han: Cupping is an ancient Chinese method of mobilising blood flow in the body. A partial vacuum is created, either with heat or suction, in cups that are placed on the skin. This draws up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localised healing takes place.
RESCU: What are the benefits associated with cupping?
Ivy Han: The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, and calm the nervous system (which makes it an excellent treatment for high blood pressure). Cupping is used to relieve back and neck pain, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism, and even cellulite.
RESCU: After the therapy we noticed the cupping marks had disappeared completely after about 3 days so we’re assuming they’re not bruises! What exactly are they?
Ivy Han: Cupping marks are not bruises.
The vacuum formed by cupping draws up the old non-circulating stagnant blood and sticky fluids from the area, bringing them up to the surface and away from the injury so that healthy circulation can be restored to the affected area, thus creating space for oxygen, living cells and nutrients for faster recovery.
In this way, cupping marks are a sign showing that toxins, stagnation or disease has been moved from the deeper tissue layers to the surface
RESCU: We noticed some areas of the marks brought up more obvious marks than other areas — why is this?
Ivy Han: The colour and pattern of the marks depend on the level of stagnation in the area. Those areas which shows more obvious marks means there are more stagnation presented than the other areas.
RESCU: We were told to drink less cold water/eat less cold foods as marks showed up quite red — why is this?
Ivy Han: When the cupping marks turn out to be bright red, it indicates the spleen is weak. Cold drinks and foods will only weaken the spleen further. People with a weak spleen may suffer from cold hands and feet, fatigue and dizziness.
RESCU: What else can you read from how one’s body reacts to the cupping?
Ivy Han: By observing the colour and pattern of cupping marks, practitioners can easily tell if there are any underlying conditions.
For example:
Pink marks indicate that there is no condition in this area.
Bright red marks indicate that the spleen is too weak.
Dark red marks indicate high levels of cholesterol.
Dark purple marks indicate that there is static blood presented in this area
White marks indicate that the body is too cold and weak inside.
RESCU: We’ve read cupping can help lessen the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks — is this true?
Ivy Han: Yes, it’s true! Cupping can be very relaxing, which is always a great thing in our busy world. It can help loosen muscles and relieve pain, improve the flow of blood and lymph and might also help lessen the appearance of cellulite. Cupping practitioners have noticed that cupping can also help with stretch marks and scar tissue.
RESCU: Who should consider cupping therapy? And is there anyone who should not consider cupping?
Ivy Han: People who suffer from a stiff neck, stiff shoulders, back pain, lower back pain and insomnia are advised to try cupping therapy. People with skin diseases, blood diseases and other infectious diseases, along with pregnant women are not suggested to have cupping therapy.
RESCU: Are the benefits increased after multiple treatments? If so, how many and how frequently can we have treatments?
Ivy Han: Yes. Cupping works best when performed in multiple sessions over a period of time. The specific length and frequency of cupping therapy will depend on the desired result, along with the specific type of work needed. For example, a detox treatment can be done in one session or several – it depends on the level of toxins in the body. Treatment of a muscular condition may require several short sessions over a period of a few weeks.
RESCU: Are there any therapies that are good to combine with cupping therapy ?
Ivy Han: It’s good to combine cupping therapy with traditional Chinese full body massage. Traditional Chinese full body massage can help relax deep muscles and increase blood circulation throughout the body to make the cupping therapy more effective.
For more visit: liangzi.com.au
