Cupping Therapy: At-Home Method for Diseases

This is a method which still generates great controversy even among doctors. It is important to note that research has not confirmed any negative effects, however, it has confirmed positive effects on immunity and accelerated healing processes.

 

In this article I will discuss:

The effectiveness of cupping, especially in the autumn and winter, when we are exposed to colds, flu and diseases of the upper respiratory tract; when you should and shouldn’t use cups.

 

Cupping therapy is a very ancient method of fighting against various diseases. Vacuum therapy, like massage or acupressure, is an ancient form of treatment and originates in China, where it was known 3,000 years ago as a versatile, side-effect-free treatment for many diseases and ailments. Other sources also claim that this method is even older. In Far Eastern culture, negative pressure therapies are still very popular as well as other natural methods to support our immune system.

Currently in countries such as China, Korea, Japan, cupping therapy is as popular as acupuncture or herbal medicine. This therapy in these countries is reimbursed by state insurance systems.

More historical information can be found here:>>> https://bit.ly/2QZihyW

 

In the old days there were glass fire cups, and we still have fireless vacuum cups, which can be used in the comfort of your home. There are also Chinese rubber cups, which are mainly used for massage, cut or wet cups (Hijama), as well as needle cups or a combination of acupuncture with magnetotherapy (Haci cups), herbal, water and vibromassage cups.

 

I will focus on describing vacuum fireless cups for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. The use of this method is primarily to stimulate the immune system, but there are more benefits. Regardless of the type of cup, their action affects the bones, joints, muscle tissue, subcutaneous and skin.

They also improve circulation and lymph flow which has a beneficial effect on cleansing our body of toxins. Cupping therapy can be combined with classical methods of treatment.

Before you proceed with the cupping therapy, make sure that the person undergoing treatment does not have health problems that are contraindications to the procedure.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
🚫 tuberculosis

🚫 cancer

🚫 inflammatory skin lesions

🚫 increased fragility of blood vessels

🚫 haemorrhagic diathesis (e.g. haemophilia)

🚫 dyspnoea (e.g. cardiac or respiratory failure)

🚫 autoimmune diseases

🚫 anaemia

🚫 general cachexia

🚫 fever over 38.5 °C

🚫 hypertension

🚫 pregnancy (Only in certain situations: do not use until the 4th month, and if the pregnancy is dangerous/pathological. Do not apply to lower abdomen or lumbar region of spine and do not apply high vacuum)

🚫 convulsions

🚫 under the influence of drugs

🚫 do not use immediately after a meal and heavy physical activity

🚫 do use for 24 hours after a sprain or contusion

 

When should you use cupping therapy?

✔️ acute inflammatory conditions (bronchi, lungs)

✔️ influenza

✔️ viral infections of the upper respiratory tract

✔️ inflammation of the throat, tonsils, larynx, sinuses

✔️ recurrent tonsillitis

✔️ recurrent cough

✔️ bronchial asthma

✔️ in prevention (increase immunity, detoxification)

✔️ angina pectoris

✔️ blood pressure disorders

✔️ neuritis, neuralgia, sciatica,

✔️ pains in muscles, joints, degenerative changes

✔️ after injury and physical effort (for muscles)

✔️ for back pain

✔️ headaches, migraines

✔️ neuroses

✔️ acute and chronic inflammation of the stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, liver

✔️ intestinal diseases

✔️ kidney and bladder inflammation, bed-wetting

✔️ menstrual problems, menopausal problems, inflammation of the appendages

✔️ before a big physical effort in order to increase the efficiency of the body (for muscles)

 

Directions:

1. Room for treatment should be heated, without open windows and drafts.

2. The area on which the cups are to be placed should be cleaned and preferably gently lubricated with Vaseline or olive oil (especially if there is little fat or the area is hairy). It will certainly be easier to remove the cups after the procedure. For me it is also important what I lubricate with, so it is not some kind of chemical fragrance oil, remember that during the treatment the pores in the skin open wider.

3. Place the cups in places where it is relatively "even", i.e. there are no bone protrusions. Remember that we do not put them directly on the spine or shoulder blades. We also do not put cups in the area of the heart and large blood vessels, eyes, ears, nose, nipples, stomach and where there are varicose veins and moles. We choose places well-muscled and with fatty bedding.

4. Use the vacuum pump provided to adjust the vacuum strength. Remember not to use high vacuum for children, pregnant women, elderly people or people with fragile vessels.

5. After the application of the cups, the person undergoing the treatment should be covered with a blanket so that they do not get cold.

6. The treatment time for an adult is 15-20 minutes. For a child from 5-15 minutes depending on the age.

7. The procedure should not cause pain. Of course, there will be a pulling sensation on the skin which may cause discomfort.

8. When it is finished, gently pull it off. There are so-called valves in the vacuum cups, or you can gently lift it with your finger to let the air in.

9. After well placed cups, petechiae/hematomas/ bruises should appear.

10. The frequency of placing the cups depends on the purpose and the condition of the patient or the person undergoing the treatment.

 

After the cups are applied, these may temporarily appear:

🔹 Temperature rise

🔹 Pressure surges

🔹 Headaches/dizziness

🔹 Insomnia

🔹 Increased pain/stabbing in affected areas

🔹 Change in colour or frequency of urination

🔹 Increased sweating

 

WHERE DO YOU BUY THE CUPS?
- You can buy them in a pharmacy.

- via internet, e.g.: eBay, Amazon, etc.

 

AND WHAT DO DOCTORS THINK ABOUT THE USE OF CUPS?
Certainly, opinions are divided because it is an unconventional method. But I listen to those doctors who have results.

➡️ In the history of Polish medicine there is a description of cups and the rules of their use was presented by Stefan Falmierz in 1534 in the first Polish medical work "Herbarium or Herbarium".

➡️ In the interwar period Professor Witold Orłowski recommended medical cups for lung diseases.

 

HOW DO THE CUPS WORK?

While placing the cups, a vacuum is created inside the cup which has an effect:

• Immunological - during the procedure a large number of immune bodies are secreted.
• Mechanical - the cup activates the flow of blood and lymph
• Reflex - there is an improvement in the functioning of internal organs, as a result of the skin-peritoneal reflex

During the treatment the skin is sucked into the cup, creating a large congestion on the skin. This congestion (i.e. blood along with viruses that circulate in our body) is treated by the body as a foreign body. In the skin, dendritic cells (very sensitive immune cells that play a primary role in stimulating lymphocytes) sense any foreign body, give a signal to other immune cells - leukocytes and then our body produces antibodies, automatically activating the defence mechanism to fight the enemy. However, encountering its own blood, it directs all its force against the emerging or already developed infection. In this way, our body produces something like a vaccine for itself.

Cupping therapy can also be compared to auto-chemotherapy, which is based on the stimulus effect of own blood injected intramuscularly.

💡Remember that in acute conditions, it is recommended that you stay at home and preferably in bed for a day or two.

💡It's important to know that it's not a "hands off" treatment, where our health will improve as if with a magic pill.

 

I hope that this article encouraged you to use cupping therapy as an additional form of strengthening the body.

 

SOURCES:

Edyta Sztuka " Natural methods to strengthen the body" 2016

Interviews: Dr. Urszula Krupa, Dr. Hubert Czerniak
https://bit.ly/2QZihyW