In recent years the importance of mental health has been made clear. Every day more and more people are being diagnosed with some kind of mental health condition like anxiety. Today we want to share with you how cupping therapy can help reduce anxiety and alleviate some of the stress that comes with it.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety has many forms of manifesting itself and acts differently depending on each person. Everyone feels anxious from time to time. It is normal for most people to have feelings of anxiety, it is the brain’s way of reacting to things that can be stressful. It is meant to alert you if there is any potential danger near. It is okay to feel anxious before making important decisions, when facing difficult work problems, or for students about to take a difficult test.
When anxiety becomes a mental health disorder is when you feel the symptoms of anxiety more regularly and more intensely. Excessive and constant worry and fear about everyday situations. Higher heart rates, hyperventilating, tension, exhaustion, and sweating can occur. Often causing panic attacks. You should seek your primary care provider if you can not work, complete daily tasks, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or are abusing substances. It’s important for us to know the degree of anxiety to properly treat each individual patient.
What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is a Chinese traditional medicine when a small vacuum is formed within a cup whether by heating the cup or using a pump and placed atop the skin. The vacuum formed then sucks the skin into the cup along with the fascia, muscle, and other soft tissues. The cupping process causes vasodilation, which increases blood circulation to the treated areas. Removing stagnant toxins and circulating fresh oxygenated blood to the affected area.
When performed by a well-trained practitioner such as the ones staffed at SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach CA, the risks and side effects are minimal. The only thing left behind is round marks left by the cup which can give an insight into how well the therapy is working. Darker marks may require more treatment in that area than lighter marks.
Cupping Therapy and Mental Health
You may be wondering how getting your skin and soft tissue pulled into a cup can help with anxiety. Cupping therapy helps indirectly by activating your parasympathetic nervous system as the cups glide over your body. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for lowering your heart rate and helping with digestion. When active the parasympathetic nervous system produces a calm and relaxing feeling in your body and mind. This reaction can loosen tension in your body which may result in a reduction in stress and anxiety.
Additionally cupping therapy promotes better sleep quality by reducing pain and removing toxins from the body. Allowing for longer consistent sleep helps with mental and physical recovery. It is well documented that there is a correlation between the lack of sleep and people who are prone to suffering from anxiety. As well as people suffering from anxiety have a hard time staying asleep. Without the rejuvenating effects of a good night’s sleep, it is possible for people to spiral into an unhealthy cycle that can be dangerous for their mental health.
Is Cupping Therapy Right for You?
Cupping therapy is a safe practice although there are some exceptions. If you have bleeding disorders like Hemophilia or blood clotting issues like deep vein thrombosis. If you have a history of strokes or seizures you should ask about your condition before receiving cupping therapy. If you have skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema your skin may become irritated when having cupping therapy.
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 us 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.
