“Alternative Medicine therapies have health benefits that can often outweigh modern medicine techniques. The biggest advantage to trying these practices is that these methods don’t pose the risk for unwanted side effects like pharmacological drugs or surgery do. In fact, there’s really no downside to trying alternative practices like essential oils, acupuncture, cupping, moxa, since studies show they can help improve immune system and speed up healing time without the use of any medications.” – Dr. Josh Axe.
Cupping therapy became trendy after athletes showed cupping marks all over their bodies during Olympics, however it is actually the ancient Chinese Medicine technique used for many ailments. It is the inverse therapy of massage. Instead of applying pressure to muscles the suction pulls skin and muscles upward. The main applications are for muscular and skeletal pains, chest congestions, and pulling out the accumulated toxins caused by poor diet or organ dysfunction.
Cupping has multiple functions: enhancing circulation of body fluids, strengthening the muscles, moving stagnation, soothing the respiratory system. Cupping works by expanding the capillaries and increasing the amount of fluid entering and leaving tissues. Besides this, cupping therapy provokes a relaxation response, which means it lowers stress and its negative effects.
Cupping is most beneficial for reducing joint and muscle pain, relaxing deep muscles, easing stiffness associated with chronic back and neck pains, migraines, rheumatism, and fatigue. It also helps with food indigestion, pain and gas in abdomen, water retention, bloating, lack of energy and many more.
Cupping improves skin health, it cleanses the area of stagnant substances, so that fluids flow easier and energy flows to the area. Cupping is commonly used for cosmetic reasons such as reduction of cellulite.