Who are fans of Gwyneth Paltrow here? She caused a stir at a New York film premiere back in 2004 when she arrived with visible cupping marks on her back. And maybe some of you have seen the photos of Jennifer Aniston last year stepped onto the red carpet with what looked like cupping marks on her back? Is cupping just another Hollywood trend? It's normal what celebrities are doing will always gain public attention and no surprise if later it become trends. Cupping therapy has actually been around for hundreds of years. It is an ancient practice of alternative medicine.
History of Cupping
According to
Chinese Cupping site, cupping was an ancient Taoist medical practice and was widely used in the courts of Imperial China back from the year 281 AD. Its administration was first recorded by Ge Hong, a practicing Taoist, an alchemist, and a famous medicinal herbalist during his time.
During those times, they used animal horns for cupping. Some consider the Chinese to be responsible for cupping, however its true origin still remains uncertain to this day.
Papyrus Ebers, an Egyptian medical papyrus dating around 1550 BC detail the earliest use of cupping for treating fever, pain, vertigo, menstrual imbalances, weakened appetite and helping to accelerate the healing crisis.
Benefit of Cupping
Almost all of us have had a headache some time in our lives. I gets headaches few days just before my period starts. Not really serious but they can be so uncomfortable. As a mom with two kids to take care of, I cannot afford to be sick. I thought it may be just one of the PMS symptom. This is because of the natural drop in oestrogen levels at these times. It will be gone after my period is over. But lately headaches have become more frequent. I have being getting painful headaches right after my period is over. I can describe the pain as throbbing, pounding, or pulsating and at some point make me feel like nauseated. No, it is not migraine if you ask me. I have a friend who have been a migraine sufferer, and I am not feeling the symptom she describe when migraine attack is coming. Maybe the headache caused by trapped wind? Women who already had childbirth experience are more prone to trapped wind, say the old folks.
Or perhaps it's a toxic headache?. We are living in a toxic environment. No matter where we live or how careful we are, we cannot avoid.
One day, I decided to try wet (blood) cupping. It was a spontaneous decision. The reflexology saloon I happened to stop by that day did not offer body massage service. I felt so sick that day and I think I needed a massage for some relieve. They recommended me the cupping therapy instead. Out of the blue I said, OK. I am actually afraid of blood. My decision could be under the influence of pain. Haha~ I could not bear to walk further to find the nearest massage spa. A month later: no more headache since cupping!
The other benefit of cupping:
1. Relaxing
Cupping is much like the inverse of massage. Rather than applying pressure to muscles, it uses gentle pressure to pull them upward. Once suctioned, the cups are generally left in targets acupuncture points for about ten minutes to provide relief through pressure.
2. Detox
Cupping is an excellent way to perform lymphatic drainage massage. By using suction and negative pressure, massage cupping releases rigid soft tissue and drains excess
fluid and toxins.
3. Improve your blood circulation
Cupping stimulates blood circulation to stagnant skin and muscles and relieve muscle and joint pains, sedate the nervous system (which makes it an excellent treatment for high blood pressure). Good blood circulation can also help ease insomnia.
4. Clear your lungs
This treatment is also valuable for the lungs, and can clear congestion from a common cold or help to control a person's asthma. Three thousand years ago, in the earliest Chinese documentation of cupping, it was recommended for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.
The Risk
There are two main forms of cupping therapy:
dry and wet (controlled bleeding). According to the therapist, wet cupping is the fastest, most effective method to move congestion and sluggishness in the body compared to dry cupping. While
cupping is relatively safe, the treatment may be slightly painful or even cause burns in some cases.
As much as I love cupping and this practice may be hot in Hollywood, not everyone will enjoy it and not everyone is suitable for cupping. Do your research or consult with doctor before undergoing cupping treatment.
Don't forget to read
my first experience with cupping therapy in the next post.
Has anybody tried the cupping therapy?
