SOHMA Integrative Medicine

We offer the best of Eastern & Western medicine without using drugs or surgery

Cupping Therapy

How Does Cupping Therapy Remove Toxins

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Coming from traditional Eastern medicine, Cupping therapy has garnered new life due to a modern resurgence. Much of its current popularity is because of how celebrities and athletes use cupping therapy for their recovery, and occasionally, they are seen with recognizable round marks going down their backs. It’s not uncommon to see Olympians being showcased with visible cupping marks. This also drew the public’s curiosity towards cupping therapy.

Cupping therapy is popular in aiding recovery and has many benefits beyond recovery from injury or a workout. Join me as we explore how cupping therapy can help to remove toxins from your body.

What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy is one of the oldest forms of medicine practiced in traditional Asian cultures. Cupping therapy traditionally uses fire to heat a glass globe or bamboo cup to create negative pressure. Recently, plastic or silicone cups with a pump have been used to control the vacuum created. When the cup is placed onto the skin, the negative pressure pulls the soft tissue into the cup. 

This pulls skin, fascia, and muscle tissue into the cup, which may promote increased circulation in the treated area. Increased circulation allows for several potential benefits, including: 

  • Pain Management
  • Reduced Inflammation
  • Reduced Muscle Tension
  • Increased Blood Flow
  • Increased Range of Motion

Aside from physical benefits, cupping therapy can also benefit your mental health and recovery. It has been shown that cupping therapy can help patients relax and release body tension. This can have the additional benefit of allowing you to rest better at night. This improves both the ability to fall asleep and the quality of sleep. As we understand, having healthy rest at night is incredibly important to our mental health as this can reduce stress and anxiety.

How does Cupping Help to Remove Toxins?

Creating vacuum pressure on the skin may draw out impurities from deep within the soft tissue and muscles. This can help to draw out built-up waste products and toxins like smoke and heavy metals. These may have been stored in your cells for years while you are unaware of them.

Since cupping therapy can help enhance blood circulation, it can allow fresh new blood to flush out stagnation in the affected areas. This can promote the removal of toxins and metabolic waste products. Cupping may stimulate the lymphatic system as well. This can aid in removing toxins and waste materials from the body through improved lymphatic circulation. This can help to promote healthier cells and overall wellness.

What are the Round Marks?

Although the round marks may seem like painful bruising, this is far from what they are. The marks are closer to a hickey than a bruise. Unlike bruises, these marks don’t hurt. Visually, some patients may not appreciate them. However, these marks have an additional function. The round marks can help to determine how close you are to finishing a cupping therapy protocol. For example, light pink marks may signify that you’re nearing the end of treatment, whereas dark purple marks may indicate heavy levels of stagnation. This can mean that you may require more cupping or complementary therapy, such as acupuncture or massage therapy to get to the root of your issues.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

Who Needs Cupping Therapy?

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Cupping therapy has been used historically by many cultures throughout history. In the last few years however, cupping therapy has grown in popularity. This is due to many celebrities and athletes using it as part of their recovery. The round marks on their backs is a tale tale sign that they are receiving cupping therapy.

Cupping therapy has more benefits than just recovery, in today’s article we’ll go over who benefits from cupping therapy and what cupping therapy can help them with.

What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy uses a pump or flame to create a negative pressure or vacuum within a cup, the cup is then placed on the skin. Because of the negative pressure in the cup, the skin, muscle, fascia is pulled up into the cup. This may cause an increased blood flow into the area being threatened. Freshly oxygenated and nutrient rich blood courses through the area being treated which may reduce inflammation, help manage pain and aid in recovery. 

When the soft tissue is pulled up into the cup, it also helps to remove toxins and stagnant blood from muscle as well as knots. Allowing them to be recirculated and removed by the body. This can result in round marks that resemble a bruise, this isn’t a bruise however, it is closer to a “giant hickey”. These cupping marks are not without significance, the color and intensity of the mark can help to determine the condition of the area being treated. With lighter marks meaning there is balance in the muscle and darker marks meaning more therapy may be needed.

Who Can Benefit From Cupping Therapy?

Nearly everyone can find a benefit from cupping therapy. It can be used as a relaxing cupping massage that can help with mental health and relaxation. An additional benefit can be a reduction of blood pressure or hypertension. Cupping therapy can help aid in managing pain caused by many forms of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis. Asthma and other upper respiratory issues can also be helped through the use of cupping as it may help with reducing inflammation in the bronchi. 

Office workers are oftentimes stricken with carpal tunnel syndrome after many hours at their computer. Typically this can be caused by bad posture or poor working habits, though cupping therapy can be used to ease tension from carpal tunnel syndrome. Cupping therapy can help release tension and promote muscle relaxation in the wrists. Another common affliction for workers who spend hours in front of their computers are headaches and migraines, which cupping can be used to help relieve the tension caused by stress and poor posture.

By drawing stagnant blood away from the area being treated and bringing new fresh blood to that same area, people have reported that cupping has helped them manage their symptoms and bring them relief from pain.

Who Should Avoid Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy is generally considered a safe and practical modality for most people as long as you are visiting a trained health professional. Though there are a few individuals who should consider a different form of therapy to help with managing their symptoms and pain. 

Conditions such as hemophilia and anemia which are blood related disorders can result in bleeding and loss of energy. As Cupping therapy can increase the blood flow, it can worsen the symptoms of these conditions.

In a similar vein, people suffering from kidney failure, liver disease and heart disease should also avoid cupping therapy. As it can compromise any current treatment you are undergoing. For this reason it’s best practice to let the therapist know of any pre-existing conditions you may have or if you are taking any medication such as blood thinners. 

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

How Does Cupping Work?

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Woman Getting Cupping Treatment At a Spa. Cupping Therapy. Treatment used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for pain relief and other health benefits.

One of the oldest forms of medicine, cupping, has been used for thousands of years in Asian countries. Nowadays, you may see celebrities and athletes with round marks going down their backs. These are surely the result of cupping therapy. Although many patients report feeling better after cupping therapy, some people may not understand how cupping works.

Join us today as we go over how cupping therapy works and the benefits of cupping.

What is Cupping Therapy

For thousands of years, cupping therapy has used flames to heat a horn or glass cup, this heat creates a negative pressure in the cup, and once placed upon the skin, the soft tissue is pulled into the cup. Although some still use flames when performing cupping therapy, many now opt for plastic or silicone cups with a suction pump. This makes it easier for the practitioner to get the same amount of pressure on every cup, though some still prefer the traditional method, which provides a similar result.

How does it Work?

The skin, fascia, connective tissue, and muscle can become stuck and reduce the range of motion. Think of it as though you were wearing a sweater. If it’s too small and tight, it can restrict mobility, and if you force it, you can damage or tear the shirt. The cups use negative pressure to pull the soft tissue under the skin. This improves blood flow to the area being treated. The new blood flow brings fresh oxygenated blood full of nutrients. The added blood flow promoted healing and quicker repair of the damaged tissue. Alternatively, you may also receive a cupping massage, and this is where the cups are slid around the areas being treated. These results are more akin to a deep tissue massage, except a cup is used instead over the area of pain or concern.

When visiting SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach, CA., you’ll be evaluated by the therapist to see the extent of damage to the injury. If, during the evaluation, it is discovered that there is shooting pain or an issue directly involving the spine, Cupping may not be the correct method to aid recovery. 

What do the Marks Mean

The common concern about cupping therapy is the round marks left behind after treatment. Many people see people on TV with round marks and wrongfully assume they are bruises. These aren’t bruises and are more like hickies caused by the suction. This can give the misconception that cupping therapy is painful. On the contrary, many patients find cupping relaxing and satisfying when cups are released.

Not all the marks are the same; some are darker, while others are lighter. The scars left behind on the cups are more than just the result of cupping therapy. They can help you learn how you’re progressing and how long it takes to recover fully. The darker the mark, the longer for it to fade away. This also means more attention will be needed in that area. These marks often take about a week to fade. Lighter marks disappear entirely after a couple of days and tend to signify that that area is working correctly. 

What does Cupping Help with?

While most people look at cupping therapy to help with muscle pain in their back, cupping therapy has been used to help with a variety of conditions, such as:

  • Fevers
  • Poor Appetite
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Cramping
  • Leg Pain
  • Joint Pain
  • Headaches
  • Mental Health

For many conditions, cupping can help by increasing blood circulation. Nonetheless, you need to be able to clear out stagnation and toxins for the body to recover naturally. While cupping has shown beneficial effects on the physical health of a patient, due to the relaxing nature of cupping, it can help people with their mental health. By improving sleep quality, the body can physically and mentally recover better, alleviating stress and anxiety.

Conclusion

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

Is Cupping Therapy Safe?

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Cupping therapy comes from ancient China and has been used for thousands of years. As one of the oldest forms of Chinese medicine, cupping has helped people manage pain and cleanse their bodies from toxins. In recent years even athletes and celebrities have been seen with round marks on their backs, which often appear after cupping therapy.

It’s understandable for some people to wonder if cupping therapy is safe. With very few and rare exceptions which we’ll go over, Cupping therapy is generally seen as a safe form of alternative medicine.

How does Cupping Work?

As the name suggests, cupping therapy uses cups placed on the skin, then whether by a pump or fire, a vacuum is formed in the cup. The negative pressure pulls and stretches the skin, fascia, and muscle tissue into the cup. Following this, the body may respond by increasing blood circulation in the treated area. Good blood circulation is very important when it comes to recovery. The improved blood circulation brings fresh oxygenated blood that can replace the stagnated blood that was there before. This can help reduce inflammation and accelerate your body’s ability to recover naturally.

Does Cupping have any Drawbacks?

The main drawback patients report are the round marks. Though often mistaken for bruises, the round marks don’t hurt when touched like bruises. These marks are more akin to a hickey, as the cup does create a good amount of suction force.

Although side effects are rare, some patients have reported that cupping therapy has made them feel nauseous, while others report sweating or dizziness. Depending on the sensitivity of the patient’s skin, they may feel mild soreness in the treated area and a small amount of pain. In most patients, this pain is not noticeable, and there is a feeling of relaxation instead of pain.

What are Those Marks?

As previously stated, the round marks are caused by the suction on the surface of the skin. These marks are temporary and often fade away after some time, depending on the mark itself. Although some may find them unsightly, the round marks can be useful. The color of the marks ranges from pale pink up to dark purple. The intensity of the mark’s color can indicate how your treatment is going. Often the darker the mark signifies severe stagnation, and that area should be focused on. 

The discoloration is temporary, and light red or pink marks will often fade after a day or so. Red, dark red, and purple marks may take longer to heal. Depending on the severity, some of the darker marks can take up to two weeks to completely fade away.

Who Should Avoid Cupping?

While cupping is considered generally safe and viable for many people to help with recovery, patients with certain conditions should avoid cupping. These include:

  • Kidney failure
  • Liver Disease
  • Heart Disease
  • Hemophilia 
  • Anemia

It’s best practice to let the therapist know if you suffer from any of these conditions, as our goal is to help you recover. If you are taking blood thinners or are pregnant, consider talking with your primary care provider before starting a cupping therapy program. 

Cupping is relatively safe as long as you go to a trained health professional. But you could have these side effects in the area where the cups touch your skin:

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

How Does Cupping Help with Recovery?

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Cupping therapy, glass vacuum cup in hand and woman at spa, therapist with deep tissue massage and wellness. Closeup, treatment at luxury resort with cosmetic, body care and health with acupuncture

Cupping, one of the oldest forms of medicine, has been used for thousands of years in many Asian countries. Cupping uses negative pressure to pull the soft tissue like the skin, fascia, and muscle into a cup that has had the air pumped out of it with a pump or heated to create said negative pressure. When the soft tissue is pulled up into the cup, there may be an increase in blood circulation in the area. This can promote healing as fresh oxygenated blood moves to the treated area. In recent years the popularity of Cupping therapy has increased after many athletes and celebrities have been seen with round marks going down their backs. These marks may look like bruises but are more similar to hickies and can inform you about how well you’re progressing in your therapy.

How does cupping work? And why is it used in recovery? Today we’ll go through how Cupping therapy helps with recovery.

Improved Blood Circulation

Many people underestimate the importance of good blood circulation when recovering from injury. Fresh nutrients and oxygen is needed for healing. Therefore, improving your blood circulation may enhance your body’s ability to heal and recover. When the soft tissue gets pulled into the cup, it naturally increases blood circulation to the treated area. The additional blood circulation can help flush stagnated toxins in the blood while providing the area with fresh oxygenated blood. The increased blood flow has the added benefit of reducing the swelling of the muscles, which can help with pain management and increase mobility. This can help bring the right oxygen balance to the body to support recovery and wellness.

Purge Toxins

Naturally, we have a system within our bodies to deal with removing toxins; however, living in modern cities, we can occasionally overwork that system. A poor diet and stress can be a big reason for the buildup of toxins within the body. Living in a large city where we’re constantly being exposed to smoke from vehicles and cigarettes and heavy metals and chemicals can make it difficult for the body to find balance.

Unable to find this balance, you may notice a sluggish lack of energy. This can be what is called oxidative stress. This happens when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and antioxidants. It can lead to pain, swelling, and in extreme cases, diabetes or cancer.

Cupping can help eliminate some of the toxins built up by promoting increased blood circulation. This lets healthy, oxygenated blood flush out the stagnant blood in the treated area.

Improved Mental Health

You may wonder how your skin, fascia, and muscle being pulled into a cup can help with your mental health. Cupping therapy helps indirectly by activating your parasympathetic nervous system as the cups glide over your body during a cupping massage. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for lowering your heart rate. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it produces a tranquil and soothing feeling in your body and mind—loosening tension in your muscles which may reduce stress and anxiety without needing medication.

Many patients have stated that they have had better sleep quality after cupping therapy. Less tension and toxins in the body can allow longer, more consistent sleep. The correlation between the lack of sleep and people suffering from some mental health disorders such as anxiety has been well documented. It’s not uncommon for people suffering from anxiety to have difficulty going to sleep and staying asleep. Without the healing effects of a good night’s sleep, it’s difficult for some people to improve their mental health.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.