What Is Cupping Therapy? Benefits, How It Works & Precautions

Introduction

Cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that has been used for more than 3,000 years. It involves using special cups to apply suction over the skin of an affected area. Many different methods are used to produce a vacuum inside the cup to create this suction—from heating the cup, to using a mechanical pump, or even using the mouth to suck the air out.
The negative pressure created in the cup causes the skin to draw upward into the cup. The cups are then left in place or moved around the skin to improve the blood circulation in the area. It helps rid the body of toxins, improve general well-being, and assist with many different ailments, including pain, inflammation, infection, and even snake and insect bites.

How Does Cupping Work?

Cupping is said to increase blood circulation, relieve pain, remove toxins from the body, and activate the immune system. The suction creates a negative pressure in the cup, which causes the soft tissue within the border of the cup to get sucked into the cup.
To balance equilibrium, blood will also rush into the area underneath the cup, which will have a lower concentration of blood than the surrounding area.

Cupping for Muscle Strain

Increase blood flow – Cupping creates suction that draws blood to the affected area, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.
Reduce muscle tension – The suction created by cupping helps relax muscles, reducing spasms and cramping.
Breaks up adhesions – Cupping helps break up adhesions and scar tissue that can form after an injury, promoting range of motion and reducing pain.
Reduce inflammation – Cupping has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce swelling and pain.

Cautions

Cupping therapy should not be done on any of the following:

Areas where there are major arteries or where a pulse can be felt
Areas with edema
Areas with skin disorders or open sores
Joints with very little muscle covering them, like the back of the elbow or top of the knee
On broken or fractured bones
On cancer tumors
On someone who has a high fever
On individuals with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners