Cupping - A Very Effective Treatment To Remove Pain

By Roslyn Motter:

If you suffer from pain in a particular area, you might like to consider having a cupping treatment.

Cupping is frequently used by acupuncturists as an adjunct therapy or as an alternative to acupuncture.

Originally called "horn therapy" in ancient China, variations of cupping have been used in Turkey, Greece, France, Italy, and Eastern Europe. Even today, it is considered to be an important home health treatment in many Greek and European families.

The cups used are generally of rounded glass or plastic construction. There are various ways they can be applied. They can be applied with a pump, which attaches to the cup and pumps out the air, thus creating a vacuum. Another common method of application is by heating the glass cup with a burning taper. The heat takes the oxygen out of the cup and creates a vacuum so that the cup easily adheres to the skin. Skin and flesh are pulled up into the cup, stimulating the blood circulation and the underlying musculature.

In Japan, practitioners of Oriental medicine (other than medical doctors) are licensed to practice acupuncture; moxibustion or cupping and are not allowed to combine the three modalities as we are able to do in Australia or the United States. Because a Japanese cupping specialist is only allowed to use cupping to treat their patients, they have to be able to treat every possible condition by means of cups. Hence they have developed some very comprehensive cupping strategies.

The application of cups on the back and shoulders is extremely successful in treating back and shoulder pain. In particularly bad cases of blood stagnation, a drop of blood is extracted from the painful or tight area, and a cup applied over the site. When the air is pumped out, the suction effect created by the vacuum draws stagnant black blood from the punctured spot and into the cup. Once the old, black blood has been extracted, fresh blood automatically pours into the painful spot. This fresh, clean blood sweeps away debris that has been inhibiting the free flow of qi to the area. Most patients find this treatment greatly relieves their pain. There are certain important contraindications to this treatment so it is best administered by an acupuncturist or other trained practitioner.Cupping is difficult to apply on hairy areas such as hairy backs or the head as a perfect seal cannot be formed on the skin.Cupping is generally painless and most patients say afterwards that they have a feeling of lightness and flexibility in the formerly painful area. However the procedure does leave a round bruise which can remain for up to a week (depending on the extent of blood stagnation present). So if you are going swimming or doing modeling, you will have to take this into consideration if you are going to have a cupping treatment on an exposed area. Examples of conditions that cupping can treat are: -

· Vertigo

· Gastric Disorders

· Constipation

· Diarrhea

· Intercostal Neuralgia

· Intestinal Disorders

· Hemorrhoids

· Sciatica

· Stiff Shoulders

· High blood Pressure, stroke and arteriosclerosis

· Bronchial asthma

· Gynecological Disorders

· Kidney Disorders (including frequent/urgent urination)

· Liver Disorders, Gallbladder Disorders

· High Fever

· Dermatological Disorders

So, if you are needle phobic and you have a health condition which is not responding to Western medicine, you might like to consider trying cupping.

Roslyn J. Motter is a Sydney, Australia registered acupuncturist with her own acupuncture and cupping clinic. She is also a children’s author and has recently published three children’s books - The Doofuzz Dudes Rescue Moondar; The Doofuzz Dudes and the Princess Detector; and the Doofuzz Dudes and the Babbling Bottles. The series are fantasy adventure stories and are most suitable for children aged 7 - 12 years. Woven into the adventures is a subtle theme of caring for the environment. Excerpts and illustrations from the books are available for viewing on http://www.childrens-books.com.au and children can play games and win prizes on http://www.doofuzzdudesclub.com Her acupuncture website is http://www.acupunctureworks.com.au

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The Benefits of Cupping Therapy for Fibromyalgia By Jane Thompson

Just as it is important to know what medical treatments will be most beneficial to treating your fibromyalgia symptoms, it is equally important to know what alternative therapies can offer you relief. Why? Unlike medications, the vast majority of alternative therapies do not cause negative side effects.

There are different alternative remedies that have effectively alleviated pain in some fibromyalgia sufferers. One such therapy that has become a popular treatment for fibromyalgia sufferers is known as cupping therapy.

What is cupping therapy? Cupping therapy is an adapted form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves applying glass cups to the skin to help alleviate pain, expel toxins, and restore proper circulation to the body. Each glass cup acts as a vacuum through the use of heat or a suction pump. The cups are positioned on a variety of specific trigger points (the same as those used in acupuncture) on the body, and are typically left on the body for ten – fifteen minutes.

There are two main types of cupping therapy used:

1. Massage cupping – During treatment, the glass cups are moved in a massage pattern around the skin to help massage sore joints and muscles.
2. Stationary cupping – During treatment, glass cups are applied to the skin and not moved until the end of the session.

How is a cupping session performed?

A cupping session is generally performed using the following tools: glass cups, cotton balls, rubbing alcohol, candles and matches. Each of these tools is applied during a session as follows:

- A cotton ball is soaked in alcohol and lit on fire by a burning candle

- A vacuum is created inside a glass cup by holding the lit cotton ball inside the cup.

- Once the vacuum is created the cotton ball is removed and the cup is immediately applied to the designated acupuncture point on the skin.

- Four-six cups are applied during a session and are not left on the skin for longer than fifteen minutes.

Although a cupping session may sound painful, it is nothing of the sort. In fact, usually the only thing a person feels is a slight suction where each cup is placed. After a session, you may have circular red marks on your skin from the cups. These red marks will fade and are a sign that the cupping therapy has successfully increased the blood flow within your body.

How does cupping benefit fibromyalgia? After each session, patients usually report feeling deeply relaxed, and their specific target cupping areas feel light and agile. This is due to the fact that cupping works to improve circulation, helps release toxins form the body, and promotes quicker healing of muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Other benefits reported by fibromyalgia sufferers include:

- Relief from pain or stiffness in the muscles and tissues

- Reduction of painful trigger points

- Improves flexibility in muscles and overall range of motion

- Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety

- Relieves stress

Cupping is a safe treatment for fibromyalgia sufferers as it does not aggravate their condition.

You should not perform cupping treatment on your own, nor should you let a person not qualified. If you are interested in finding a cupping therapist, the best place to start your search is at local spas or holistic treatment centers. It’s also a good idea to ask your massage therapist about cupping therapy. If you don’t have a massage therapist, try searching online by using your city and “cupping therapy” as the main keywords.

By Jane Thompson: Sign up today for a free newsletter & discover proven natural methods to help you combat the pain and frustration of Fibromyalgia. Discover more about the different fibromyalgia relief options on the rest of the site and whether cupping is a good natural cure for fibromyalgia.

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Cupping Therapy On TV

Cup It!
A modern twist on an ancient procedure promises big results in the treatment of pain. Tracy, 36, suffers from chronic back pain and writes The Doctors for help.

Acupuncturist Dr. Michael Yang performs a cupping procedure on Tracy, which, he explains, works on the same principles as a deep massage or physical therapy. The placement of heated glass cups on a person’s bare back serves to separate connective tissue, muscle and fascia, which subsequently increases circulation and decreases inflammation.

Chinese medicine purports that cupping moves “stagnant blood,” or stuck chi, or energy, as well as detoxifies the blood. “It’s been around for thousands of years,” Dr. Yang notes. “It’s really a tried and true therapy.”

Source:
http://www.thedoctorstv.com/main/show_synopsis/128?section=synopsis

The Cupping Therapy International Contest 2009

This is special Opportunity for You "The Cupping Therapy International Contest 2009"

All you need to do to join:

1-submit an article, story or a photo about cupping Therapy and agree to be published at cuppingtherapy.info and this work is your original work.

2-submit complete information about you and a photo for you.

The Benefits are:

1-your work will be published to the world

2-there are five winners who will recieve cupping book

3-there are five winners who will recieve 2 years subscription in cupping therapy magazine

4-there is a great surprise for the best work

act now and join our contest

send your work to

info@cuppingtherapy.info

the deadline is 31 mars 2009

How Suction Cupping Can Detoxify Your Body by Eric Glenwood

How can Suction Cupping Detoxify your Body?

Cupping is helpful for relief from muscle spasms, back pain, as well as arthritic and rheumatic problems. While stimulating the skin and underlying muscles, it promotes the release of toxins that have accumulated in the area and increases circulation of blood and lymph vessels. Cupping also stimulates the organ-related reflex zones in the skin to further improve the function of inner organs, including the stomach, liver, kidneys and intestines. Cupping can also increase immunity in a particular area since the suction causes the release of a histamine-like substance in the skin which stimulates immune system response.

Detoxify with Suction Cupping

Other detoxification therapies are often used in conjunction to enhance the eliminatory action of cupping. Other therapies combined with cupping can be used to treat chronic pain and discomfort more successfully, even where other therapies have failed. There are very few conditions in which cupping should not be used, such as high fever, skin disease, or if the person tends to bleed easily.

With fire cupping, a vacuum is created by air (heated by fire) in a glass cup placed flush against the patient's skin. As the air cools in the cup, a vacuum forms that pulls up on the skin, stimulating the acupressure effect. This type of therapy is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia, and bronchitis. It can also be used to treat back, neck, shoulder and other musculoskeletal pain. Cupping may feel uncomfortable, but the patient will not feel pain.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Cupping is widely used by Chinese medicine practitioners to treat colds, lung infections, and problems in the internal organs. Cupping can be used on people for whom the injection of acupuncture needles poses a problem or risk. Chinese medicine practitioners begin treatment by diagnosing a patient through interviews, examination of the pulse, tongue, and other parts of the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) strives to balance and improve the flow of qi, or life energy, which travels throughout the body in channels called meridians. Illness is caused when qi does not move properly in the body. Acupuncturists use cupping for specific problems in the flow of qi. Cupping disperses and moves qi by exerting suction and pressure. Cupping is used when the qi is blocked at certain points, or when qi needs to be drawn to the surface of the body from deep within. For example, cupping is used to treat colds and lung infections because it is believed that suction disperses and energizes the qi that has become blocked and trapped in the lungs. Cupping can also pull out "wind-cold" that in Chinese medicine is believed to cause lung infections.

In today's world, suction cupping is becoming a very popular and effective therapy used by both Western and Eastern health care professionals to treat a wide range of problems such as the common cold, chronic pain, and internal organ problems.

[--To learn more about cupping therapy, or if you are interested in finding ways to detoxify your body, feel free to visit our store Chi Activate - Chi Activate is specialized supplier in beauty and relaxation products. --]

Author Bio Eric Glenwood is a freelance contributor and editor of the Beauty and Fitness information portal http://www.chiactivate.com which reports on the latest Beauty, Fitness and Relaxation Therapies promoting natural detoxification and healing benefits.

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Acupuncture - An Alternative Health Treatment By: Woody Longacre

Acupuncture is one of several popular alternative therapies tracing its roots to Chinese traditional holistic medicine of more than 5,000 years ago. Although the treatment is regarded as one of the most common and oldest worldwide, acupuncture only started to become recognized in the US after New York Times journalist James Reston wrote a feature on how his post-surgery pain was eased by doctors in China in 1971 using the procedure.

The Basis Of Acupuncture

The treatment assumes something called qi (pronounced key) - energy in living beings that passes through twelve meridians or invisible energy lines within the body. Each line links to a specific organ system; the belief is that any imbalance in qi flow leads to a disease. The key component of acupuncture treatment is the insertion of needles into key points on the meridian lines to renew balance. These extremely thin, metallic needles are aimed at specific anatomical points and controlled manually or by electrical stimulation. An individual usually feels relaxed and energized after acupuncture.

Modern Treatment

The US Food and Drug Administration reclassified acupuncture needles as medical devices in 1997, from the earlier classification as experimental. The Administration notes that over $500m is spent by people throughout the world every year for the acupuncture treatment, for which a good number secure insurance coverage. The agency's main restriction for needles is that they be non-toxic, sterilized and that they be used only once.

- Acupuncture is endorsed by the National Institute of Health - Is practiced by dentists, doctors and other health practitioners

Increasing Acceptance

Increasing acceptance of acupuncture was highlighted by the National Health Interview Survey in 2002, which indicated that the number of American adults turning to the treatment surged from 2.1 million in 2001 to about 8.2 million the following year. The interest in acupuncture also received a boost from individuals that express dissatisfaction of conventional medicine for some health problems.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture reportedly induces the release of endorphins in the body, relieving an individual from pain. Other effects attributed to the therapy include influence over neurotransmitters, or substances transporting nerve impulses; promotion of circulation; and effects over the body's electrical currents and autonomic nervous system. Many common ailments and undesirable conditions are addressed by acupuncture treatment.

Commonly Treated Conditions

- Sinusitis - The common cold - Smoking and other addictions - Migraines - Tennis elbow - Infertility - Menstrual cramps - Obesity - Low-back pain - Asthma - Arthritis - Carpal tunnel syndrome - Dermatology issues

Treatment Procedure

On the first meeting, acupuncturists usually ask new clients to complete a personal health record prior to an interview. A session with the therapist then has the client answer questions that cover main health issues, diet, emotional and psychological profile, and overall lifestyle. The therapist should also be informed by the individual of any current medication and treatment being taken. During this interview, one can also expect the practitioner to evaluate pulse points and establish how healthy the individual's twelve meridians are. A diagnosis is then given, followed by the insertion of 6 to 12 needles as treatment is commenced. Patients considering acupuncture must realize that the exact placement on target points along the meridians is of high importance, the number of needles used is a secondary factor.

The initial insertion may make the patient feel pricked or stung. However, the treatment should be relatively painless and comfortable for the duration that could extend to an hour or more. An individual should immediately tell the acupuncturist to discontinue if he feels any numbness, discomfort or pain. Variations of the treatment may involve use of herbal medicine - capsules, tablets or tea made from Chinese herbs to complement the therapy. Some practitioners also integrate cupping - a suction effect created with the use of glass cups on the skin, in part to promote blood circulation and continuous qi flow.

Needleless Acupuncture

A new and modern form of acupuncture, (Needleless Acupuncture) is emerging and gaining popularity. For those that cannot tolerate needles, this new form of acupuncture is a pleasant alternative. Based on Pulsed Magnetics, needleless acupuncture functions in exactly the same way as traditional acupuncture by targeting key points along the 12 meridian channels of the body. Pulsating magnetic fields induce an electrical current flow - qi - that stimulate the various organs of the body.

Rising Popularity

A recent recall of pain medications has raised apprehension over the ability of the Food and Drug Administration to ensure safety for consumers. This concern, combined with statements from the NIH and other government and health organizations that side effects from acupuncture are significantly lower than other forms of treatment, has made more individuals turn to the treatment, particularly for pain relief. Several studies have also shown how acupuncture has helped patients with osteoarthritis, post-chemotherapy nausea and even depression. Despite all the apparent positive feedback, those considering acupuncture should still consult regular doctors and health-care professionals for advice on their conditions first. If they decide to pursue the treatment, they must make sure that the acupuncturist or practitioner they see is highly-qualified and certified by organizations such as the American Academy of Medical Acupuncturists.

Woody Longacre is a writer and publisher of articles for use on the internet. This article was written for Immune Sentry, LTD. Please visit Immune Sentry for information about an amazing Needleless Acupuncture product.

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