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.
