Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is an ancient therapy used by many cultures for thousands of years. It was employed in the Western hospitals, as well as the East (for further reading look: Cupping Therapy by Ilkay Zihni Chirali. ISBN: 0443 06038X). Cupping therapy is also known as Al-Hajama (Hijama), Ventosaterapia, Schropf therapie, Kupa Cekme, Bankovanie, Banki & Ventouzes

Cupping therapy involves introducing a flame into a glass, bamboo or a china cup, which will rid of oxygen and create a vacuum. This action is followed by the practitioner rapidly turning the cup on to the desired location. Depending on the energetic condition of the patient, the practitioner can then decide from ten different types of cupping methods, which will be the most suitable method for that patient. Bruising, up to fifteen days can appear following the treatment. However, not all cupping methods causes bruising, only some do. Children as well as adults can benefit from cupping therapy.

Therapies That Benefit from Cupping

Generally speaking, most of the hands-on therapeutic techniques can include Cupping in their therapy. The ultimate aim of all hands-on techniques is to use physical application in order to stimulate the body’s natural healing powers by balancing the physical, mental and emotional energies and restore health to the individual. Therapies such as Aromatherapy, Massage, Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Kinesiology, Alexander Technique, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Polarity and Physiotherapy, can all incorporate Cupping in their main treatment model.

Ten Methods of Cupping

1.  Weak (Light) Cupping (Tonifying Method) Suitable for Children, elderly or patients with deficiency syndromes.

2.  Medium Cupping  (Tonifying Method) the most used technique can be used on children over 7 years old.

3.  Strong Cupping (Draining Method) not suitable for the elderly or children.

4.  Moving Cupping (Draining Method) the most painful method, only to be applied to people with abundance of energies.

5.  Needle Cupping (Draining Method) more for “Re” Hot type of “Bi” syndrome.

6.  Moxa (Hot Needle) Cupping (Tonifying Method) to be used on Cold type “Bi” syndrome.

7.  Empty (Flash) Cupping (Tonifying Method) beneficial for elderly, children and the weak and frail with Qi and Blood stagnation.

8.  Full (Bleeding) Cupping (Draining Method) only when excess Heat is present, I,e hypertension accompanied by heat, boils and some skin conditions.

9.  Herbal Cupping (Tonifying Method)

10. Water Cupping (Even method)

Some other facts about cupping:

• Cupping therapy is extensively used in the treatment of childhood diseases.
• Cupping Therapy on the Elderly are very beneficial, particularly when rheumatic conditions are present