In honor of Valentine’s Day, here are the top 5 reasons I love to use traditional fire cupping in my practice (when appropriate and deemed valuable for the particular patient, of course):
Time tested. People have been practicing fire cupping in Europe, Asia and Africa for thousands of years, with the earliest record of medical use dating back to 1550 B.C.
Pain free, SAFE, and effective when performed by a licensed acupuncturist (do NOT try this at home friends; it requires training & practice)
Incredible for unraveling “knots” in sore, tired, aching muscles where the blood flow has been restricted to the area. It does so by resetting the fascia that lies under the muscle and keeping the shape of the muscle. Tension and stagnation can alter the tone of the muscle and fascia and create “knots” and trigger points. Cupping helps disperse this stagnation. This is super helpful for athletic recovery!
Effective in treating bronchitis, coughs and colds and also serves as a detox for the body. The cupping action draws toxins to the surface of the skin where the immune system is better able to eliminate them. Additionally, the use of heat addresses ‘cold’ conditions in the body.
Feels warming & wonderful —like a deep massage but from the inside out! Think: reverse massage. This therapeutic treatment relaxes muscles and restores internal organ function like no other form of therapy can.
How is Fire Cupping performed?
For Fire cupping, cups are applied to the skin using a flame to create a vacuum. Instead of applying pressure like a massage, the skin is gently drawn upwards by creating a vacuum in a cup over the affected area. The cups stay in place for around 5-15 minutes. I often do some Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage) with natural oil before the fire cupping, allowing me to get a better feel for what is happing with the muscles and meridians AND for it’s therapeutic benefits.
What about those dark marks afterwards?
Cupping can sometimes result in temporary discoloration of the skin called petechiae. These marks are associated with improved blood flow to the area and naturally, dissipate within a few days. They tend to look like small circular bruises. While a bruise may hurt, cupping marks do not.
Why glass fire cups, versus silicone (like some other practitioners)?
I primarily use glass fire cups, versus the unheated silicone pump cups, in my sessions. Why? I think the traditional method feels more comfortable and is more effective. Questions about cupping or how it can show some love to your body? Email me anytime.
These awesome heart shaped cups & photo are by @lovecupping.