Cupping

What Is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping is a type of alternative therapy that originated in China. It involves
placing cups on the skin to create suction. The suction may facilitate healing
with blood flow.

Proponents also claim the suction helps facilitate the flow of “qi” in the body.
Qi is a Chinese word meaning life force. A famous Taoist alchemist and
herbalist, Ge Hong, reportedly first practiced cupping. He lived from A.D. 281
to 341.

Many Taoists believe that cupping helps balance yin and yang, or the
negative and positive, within the body. Restoring balance between these two
extremes is thought to help with the body’s resistance to pathogens as well as
its ability to increase blood flow and reduce pain.

Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed.
This may relieve muscle tension, which can improve overall blood flow and
promote cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create
new blood vessels in the tissue.

People use cupping to complement their care for a host of issues and
conditions.

What are the different types of cupping?

Cupping was originally performed using animal horns. Later, the “cups” were
made from bamboo and then ceramic. The suction was primarily created
through the use of heat. The cups were originally heated with fire and then
applied to the skin. As they cooled, the cups drew the skin inside.
Modern cupping is often performed using glass cups that are rounded like
balls and open on one end.
There are two main categories of cupping performed today:

• Dry cupping is a suction-only method.
• Wet cupping may involve both suction and controlled medicinal
  bleeding.

Your practitioner, your medical condition, and your preferences will help
determine what method is used.

What should I expect during a cupping treatment?

During a cupping treatment, a cup is placed on the skin and then heated or
suctioned onto the skin. The cup is often heated with fire using alcohol,
herbs, or paper that’s placed directly into the cup. The fire source is removed,
and the heated cup is placed with the open side directly on your skin.Some modern cupping practitioners have shifted to using rubber pumps to
create suction versus more traditional heat methods.

Mr. Jiang works closely with each patient to uncover the root of one’s ailments. He will carefully examining all aspects of your health: details of medical, surgical and family history and other lifestyle habits. After meeting you and examining you carefully, Mr. Jiang will provide you a highly individualized treatment plan to rebalance the your system through diet, lifestyle, acupuncture and herbs. Mr. Jiang’s goal is not only to relieve the symptoms of your illness and disease, but also improve the strength of your body and mind to promote your wellness and quality of life.