Using specialized cups to create a vacuum on specific areas of the body, we can relieve muscular tension, move stagnation, and support relaxation. There two types of cups that are commonly used, each of which creates a vacuum differently. Glass cups, also called fire cups, utilize fire to burn up the oxygen in the cup. There are also plastic cups that use a handheld vacuum pump to create a vacuum.
Regardless of the type of cup, the cups are applied directly to the skin and the underlying tissue is drawn into the cup. This will usually yield a circular bruise that can vary in color from bright red to dark purple.
While typically done on the back of the body, cups can also be applied to hands, wrists, legs, and ankles. In some cases, the cups may be applied over an acupuncture needle.
DISCLAIMER: this blog post is intended for informational purposes only. Do not perform any treatments included in the post yourself. This includes, but is not limited to, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Chinese nutritional therapy. They should only be performed by educated and licensed acupuncture practitioners.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat the following:
Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy
Dental pain after surgery
Addiction
Headaches
Menstrual cramps
Tennis elbow
Fibromyalgia
Myofascial pain
Osteoarthritis
Low back pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Asthma
It may also help with stroke rehabilitation.
If you are curious about the benefits of acupuncture, scheudule an appointment for a personal consultation, and evaluation.
