Traditional Chinese Medicine actually uses a treatment called cupping therapy, which creates those circular marks. Michael Phelps wasn’t the only one who showed up to the Olympics with cupping marks. Swimmers from other countries as well as members of the U.S. men’s gymnastics team were sporting the same bruises. The cupping therapy trend appears to be spreading like wildfire, so what’s all the hype about? Cupping therapy in Omaha is a practice that involves briefly attaching rounded inverted cups to certain parts of the body using a vacuum effect. Some proponents suggest that the drawing of the skin inside the cups increases blood flow to the area.
Cupping is often recommended as a complementary therapy for the following conditions:
In addition, it is used to help breakdown scar tissue from injury. Cupping therapy is used to speed recovery during training by improving blood flow, reducing muscle tension, and increasing lymphatic flow. Bruising is common, but not everyone bruises. If bruising does occur, it resolves within 5-7 days. It can be used therapeutically to treat specific conditions or used more to reduce stress and tension held within the body. Most common area is neck and shoulder condition due to prolonged computer and desk work or poor posture.
To create the suction inside the cups, the practitioner may them by placing a flammable substance (such as herbs, alcohol, and/or paper) inside each cup and then igniting that substance. Next, the practitioner places the cup upside down on the body. During a typical cupping treatment, between three and seven cups are placed on the body.
Today, many practitioners use a manual or electric pump to create the vacuum, or use self-suctioning cupping sets. After the cups are in place, they are usually removed after five to ten minutes. (Practitioners may practice “flash” cupping, by quickly attaching then removing the cup repeatedly.)
Some practitioners apply massage oil or cream and then attach silicone cups, sliding them around the body rhythmically for a massage-like effect. In a procedure known as “wet cupping,” the skin is punctured prior to treatment. This causes blood to flow out of the punctures during the cupping procedure, which is thought to clear toxins from the body.
The bruises for cupping can last for a few days up to two weeks. Tt is expected that over several weeks of repeated cupping treatments the bruising will decrease as the stagnation resolves. This indicates a successful result of a cupping treatment protocol.
At Papillion Chiropractic our approach is simple. We believe that health is among our most valuable possessions. And while we generally meet people after they’ve lost their health, our commitment is to offer you hope and more importantly, a plan. Drs. Kurt and Tonya Boeckenhauer can begin the process of restoring your spinal health and body mechanics. Contact us!