Cupping therapy, an alternative therapeutic option

Cupping Therapy, An alternative therapeutic optionPresented by: Ayesha Ayub

Sheikh

Cupping Therapy

Fire cupping, Body vacuuming, Al-Hijamah and the Horn method.

Creating partial vacuum on the skin by using suction cups.

Suction is created using heat (fire) or mechanical devices (hand or electrical pumps).

Skin and tissues beneath the suction cup drawn up

Blood accompanied with impurities, poisons and toxic chemicals from the nearby tissues and organs flows towards the skin for elimination.

History of Cupping Therapy

Found in ancient records dating back 3500 years.

Ancient Egyptians were the first to use cupping therapy.

The technique was used solely for bleeding purposes.

Two schools of thought as far as disease was concerned were:

a) Starve the source of the sickness of the bodyb) Bleed to drain it away

Hippocrates view about cupping

Textual evidence on cupping can be found in the writings of Hippocrates (460-377 BC)

For the treatment of angina, menstrual and other disorders, in his guide to Clinical Treatment.

Wrote about two forms of cupping, dry and wet cupping.

Advocated dry cupping because it was a gentler and safer technique.

Cupping Therapy in China

Practicing cupping for at least three thousand years along with massage and acupuncture to relieve the stagnation of Qi and blood, in the body .

Practitioners of the traditional Chinese medicine believe that the body contains "Meridians".  These meridians are channels in the body through which the “vital life force” energy called Qi ("chi") flows. 

They believe that diseases are caused by stagnant or blocked Qi and that cupping is able to correct the flow of Qi, thereby restoring health

Early instruments used for cupping Various natural resources were used

to create suction. For example, natives along the west coast of North America used shells.

In Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, hollow animal horns were used.

Vacuum was achieved by sucking the air out of the tip of the horn.

Tip was closed off by the practitioners tongue or a plug of dried grass would be immediately thrust into the opening.

At the time of Holy Prophet (PBUH) natural suckers, the leeches were used to suck poisonous and toxic blood from the injury.

Modern instruments used for cupping

Fire Cupping set Aqua Flexi silicone Cupping set Bamboo Cupping set

Hijama Cupping set Bell Cupping set Magnetic suction Cupping set

Process of Cupping Therapy

The vacuum in the glass or hard plastic suction cup is usually created in two different ways.

Traditional method (Fire Cupping)

Modern method (Hand operated vacuum pump attached to the glass cup and suction by manual action)

The practitioner must wear disposable latex gloves.

Blood pressure and pulse should be checked.

The cups should be placed on flat areas of the skin.

More than one cup used simultaneously should be placed 1-2 centimeters apart.

For Al-Hijama, the site selected is incised superficially.

The cup is then applied Patient must remain as still as

possible. The process lasts for around 15 to 20

minutes.

After Cupping

After cupping, the following signs may be evident:

Redness of the skin (erythema) Slight itching, as the healing process

takes place, at the cupping sites may develop and persist for a few days. Scratching should be discouraged.

Light scarring as part of the healing process may occur.

Recommendations

Antiseptic cream on the incisions Use of honey is not only effective as an

antiseptic but also assists in the healing of the skin.

Adequate nutritious liquids Solid food intake should be avoided for

at least 3 hours. No shower or bathing should be carried

out for 12 hours after cupping. Sexual activity should be refrained for

at least one day.

Methods of Cupping Therapy

Weak (light) Cupping

Medium cupping

Strong cuppingStrong cupping is often coupled with wet cupping.

Comparison between Weak, Medium and Strong Cupping

Empty (flash) cupping

Empty cupping is also called flash cupping because of its speed during application.

Medium to strong cupping applied rapidly.

The cups remain in place for (<30 seconds).

Used to stimulate and move blood and energy in the weak and frail individuals.

This technique does not tires the patient

Wet cupping (Al-Hijama) Most favored and practiced method by

practitioners. Used in the treatment of a sudden

increase in blood pressure, high fevers, in blood stasis and in discharging pus from boils.

Slight superficial lacerations are made. The cup is then placed on the site and blood is drawn out by vacuum.

The cups should be removed gently. Once a month 100 ml of blood is drawnat any one

time.

Herbal cupping For this method one requires • A few bamboo cups• A relatively deep pan• Water• Metal clamps• Fire and herb.

The herbs are absorbed into the bamboo cups, which in turn transfer their healing properties to the patient.

Cups can be left on for 10-20 minutes.

Water cupping

One of the least used and practiced cupping methods.

The technique involves filling a glass or bamboo cup one-third full with warm water and employing the cupping process quickly.

This method is said to disperse energy and settle mucus making it very beneficial for asthma, particularly in children.

There is usually no mark left with this method.

Sites on Human body for Cupping Therapy

Face (Facial Cupping)

HeadUsed for treatment of hair fall

Abdomen (Abdominal Cupping)

Back There are five meridians on our back.  When these meridians are opened, the

internal energy called as Qi is able to flow through the whole body.

Limbs (Orthopedic Cupping)

Foot (Pedi Cupping)

Benefits of Cupping Therapy

“Cupping on the back of the neck treat seventy-two illnesses” (Collected by At-Tabarani).

Cupping results into following benefits for skin

Promotion of metabolism in skin tissue Better functioning of sweat and

sebaceous glands Accelerates the secretion of salts and

oil and excretion of water Strengthens the renewal power of the

skin Increase skins resistance to various

harmful conditions

Cupping therapy boosts the functioning of following:

Muscular System Skeletal System Digestive System Circulatory System Lymphatic System Nervous System Endocrine System Respiratory System Urinary System Immune System

Natural Detoxification

Cupping releases toxins, poisons, pus, uric acid, lactic acid, water retention and other alien fluids in the body.

Stops blood stasis and stagnation of thick, unhealthy blood which clogs arteries.

Mental/emotional/spiritual reliefCupping promotes relaxation, releases tension and anxiety. It decreases pressure in the head and brain as blood circulates properly and oxygenates the area.

WeightWet cupping activates good blood circulation and hence metabolism. Energy and fats are burned faster. This makes you hungry, so you eat better and have regular bowel movement. Extra dead weight and water retention is removed from the body.

Conclusion

Appreciate your Questions