Cupping Therapy
Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that many of us have heard of but may not be sure of what it actually does. Well the good news is that it can help with back pain relief to injured or tight muscles and improve circulation of the blood. Most qualified acupuncturists are also trained in the art of cupping, whereby glass or plastic cups are placed on the affected muscle by applying suction. They are generally left on from three to fifteen minutes according to the judgement of the practitioner.
Whilst the cups are on the affected area, the muscle fibres are drawn into the cup by the suction hence loosening up the muscle and relieving pain. If a specific injury has occurred, small blood vessels within the muscle fibres will have been ruptured causing blood to pool within the muscle and get stuck there forming a type of glue that makes movement even more difficult and painful, cupping can help draw this blood out onto the surface of the skin.
Cupping is also often used in the treatment of frozen shoulders and swollen joints like knee joints, this is because, as well as blood, cupping can also draw out body fluids. When either of these is drawn out they don't come out in liquid form, but draw dark circles on the skin where the cups have been. The first time you are cupped you will probably see quite dark circles remaining which last for a few days, and as the treatments are repeated they should become less coloured as the area is healing. Do not be concerned about these marks as they are all part of the healing process, however you may want to dress accordingly for a few days so if you are planning a day at the beach it may not be such a good idea so soon after your treatment.
There are certain conditions for which cupping may not be appropriate, these include pregnancy, diabetes, lupus, haemophilia or any type of blood circulation disorder and in these cases your therapist or doctor will advise you. If you are adverse to the bruising and discoloration effect it may not be the right treatment for you either. If you do decide to go ahead make sure you find a registered practitioner who will talk you through the treatment and assess if it is appropriate for your condition before starting any treatment. Personally I think that in the battle to find back pain relief, having researched the subject thoroughly, I'm ready to give it a try.
Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that many of us have heard of but may not be sure of what it actually does. Well the good news is that it can help with back pain relief to injured or tight muscles and improve circulation of the blood. Most qualified acupuncturists are also trained in the art of cupping, whereby glass or plastic cups are placed on the affected muscle by applying suction. They are generally left on from three to fifteen minutes according to the judgement of the practitioner.
Whilst the cups are on the affected area, the muscle fibres are drawn into the cup by the suction hence loosening up the muscle and relieving pain. If a specific injury has occurred, small blood vessels within the muscle fibres will have been ruptured causing blood to pool within the muscle and get stuck there forming a type of glue that makes movement even more difficult and painful, cupping can help draw this blood out onto the surface of the skin.
Cupping is also often used in the treatment of frozen shoulders and swollen joints like knee joints, this is because, as well as blood, cupping can also draw out body fluids. When either of these is drawn out they don't come out in liquid form, but draw dark circles on the skin where the cups have been. The first time you are cupped you will probably see quite dark circles remaining which last for a few days, and as the treatments are repeated they should become less coloured as the area is healing. Do not be concerned about these marks as they are all part of the healing process, however you may want to dress accordingly for a few days so if you are planning a day at the beach it may not be such a good idea so soon after your treatment.
There are certain conditions for which cupping may not be appropriate, these include pregnancy, diabetes, lupus, haemophilia or any type of blood circulation disorder and in these cases your therapist or doctor will advise you. If you are adverse to the bruising and discoloration effect it may not be the right treatment for you either. If you do decide to go ahead make sure you find a registered practitioner who will talk you through the treatment and assess if it is appropriate for your condition before starting any treatment. Personally I think that in the battle to find back pain relief, having researched the subject thoroughly, I'm ready to give it a try.
Jan Griffiths maintains a regular blog about chronic back pain, and has written many articles specifically on upper back pain relief.
