According to Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) cupping is a method of creating a vacuum on the patient’s skin to dispel stagnation — stagnant blood and lymph, thereby improving qi flow.

The procedure involves placing cups over specific points on the back and then heating them to create a vacuum. It unblocks lymph nodes along the spine, which in turn helps the body to work more efficiency.  Cupping also stimulates tissues to release toxins and activates the veins. It is widely used on back, neck, shoulder and other musculoskeletal conditions.

American athletes like Michael Phelps and Alex Naddour could be seen sporting circular red marks on their backs, shoulders, and arms during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. This sparked a media frenzy around what may have caused these marks, which has since led to an increase in inquiries/interest for cupping therapy.

 

fire cupping

Fire cupping is an alternative, non-invasive treatment technique

Fire cupping is an alternative, non-invasive treatment technique that uses special cups placed on the skin to encourage blood flow to damaged areas. This unique therapy is often recommended to patients who suffer from muscular pain, joint pain, skin problems, and/or respiratory disorders.

During the fire cupping treatment, our practitioners use fire to create a vacuum in the glass cups. The cups are left on the skin for five to ten minutes, creating a suction that causes your skin to rise and redden within the cups. This process causes your blood vessels to expand, encouraging blood flow and increased circulation to the damaged area(s).

Flash cupping is another type of fire cupping technique that involves the use of a cup being heated up and quickly and repeatedly applied to triggers points. As its name suggests there is only quick retention of cups involved.

Sliding cupping massage is a technique where massage oils are applied, cups are attached to the body and then slide across an area.

 

hijama wet cupping

Wet cupping uses a rubber pump instead of fire to create the vacuum inside the cup

With Hijama Wet cupping, the practitioner uses a rubber pump instead of fire to create the vacuum inside the cup. Wet cupping creates a mild suction by leaving a cup in place for about 3 minutes. The therapist then removes the cup and uses a small scalpel to make light, tiny cuts on your skin. Next, they do a second suction to draw out a small quantity of blood.

The history of wet cupping ( Hijama ) date back thousands of years, the first documented uses are found in the teachings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to Muhammad al-Bukhari, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj Nishapuri and Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Muhammad approved of the Hijama (cupping) treatment.

 

Note:

  • Cupping Therapy may leave marks on the area where cups have been applied but usually will vanish in no more than a week.
  • Cupping is not advised over skin ulcers or to the abdominal or sacral regions of pregnant women.
  • Wet cupping not suitable for clients using blood thinning drugs or clients with uncontrolled diabetic and blood disorder.

 

 

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