Brief History

Cupping Therapy has been used for thousands of years, developing over time from the original use of hollowed out animal horns to bamboo cups, which were eventually replaced by glass. Cupping has long been used to treat various ailments by many cultures, in many parts of world.  Some consider the Chinese to be responsible for the development of cupping, while the earliest pictorial records date back to the ancient Egyptians around 1500 B.C.  Translations of hieroglyphics in the Ebers Papyrus, the oldest  medical text book, detail the use of cupping for treating fever, pain, vertigo, menstrual imbalances, weakened appetite and helping to accelerate the healing process.

The earliest recorded use of cupping came from the famous herbalist, Ge Hong (281-341 A.D.), who popularized the saying “Acupuncture and cupping, more than half of the ills cured.”

How Does It Work?

A partial vacuum is created in cups, by heat or suction, and then placed them on the skin.  This pulls up the underlying tissues, causing blood to flow to that area, stimulating localized healing.  This technique also works to release muscle tension and adhesions, causes tissues to release toxins and activates the lymphatic system. Cupping is an excellent form of deep tissue massage.  It is very useful and safe and can be easily incorporated into your family health practices.

From a Chinese medicine view, cupping is a way to open the ‘meridians’ of the body. Meridians are the conduits or pathways in the body through which energy or “qi” flows to every part of the body and through every organ and tissue. Diseases and illnesses occur when your meridian channels are blocked. Opening up the channels can help speed recovery and bring about healing.  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 can be one of the best ways of opening those meridians.

The application of Cupping is very simple but its effects are profound. Our health & well being (immune system) are totally dependent on the movement of blood, Qi (energy) & body fluids (hormones, lymphatic fluid, etc.).

What Conditions Does Cupping Treat?

A few conditions that cupping can effectively treat are back and joint pain; respiratory conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis, and congestion; immune dysfunction; gastrointestinal disorders, migraines, and depression.

Will I Get Marks?

Dark circles may appear where the cups were placed due to rupture of the capillaries just under the skin, but are not the same as a bruise caused by blunt-force trauma and will fade in a matter of days.