Cupping therapy is a type of alternative medicine that involves placing vacuum cups on the skin to create suction. This suction is created either by heating the air inside the cup or by using a pump. Cupping is often used to help with pain, inflammation, and blood flow.

It is also used to boost immune function, reduce stiffness and pain, help with relaxation and stress relief, and also remove toxins. Cupping is thought to alleviate symptoms by promoting peripheral blood circulation and improving immunity.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

The local negative pressure applied to humans causes specific changes in local tissue structure, stretching to the nerve and muscle, increasing blood circulation, and causing auto hemolysis (breakdown of blood cells). In general, cupping-induced negative pressure can dilate local blood vessels to improve microcirculation, promote capillary endothelial cell repair, and accelerate granulation and the development of new blood vessels.

In other words, one can say that cupping is believed to work by increasing blood flow to the area being treated. The suction created by the cups helps to draw blood to the surface of the skin, which can help to improve circulation and reduce inflammation.

Cupping therapy may also help to release tension in the muscles and connective tissues, which can help to reduce pain and improve the range of motion.

EFFECTS OF CUPPING THERAPY

• Promotes the skin’s blood flow
• Changes the skin’s biomechanical properties
• Increases pain thresholds
• Improves local anaerobic metabolism
• Reduces inflammation
• Boosts cellular immunity

Cupping also has a positive effect on the lymphatic system which helps in eliminating the body’s waste.

At Aspire, we use cupping therapy for pain relief, to relax muscles, reduce stiffness, and to drain accumulated lactic acid

CONTRAINDICATIONS

People with certain medical conditions, such as skin conditions, bleeding disorders, or pregnancy, may not be good candidates for cupping therapy.

Cupping therapy should also be avoided in areas with large blood vessels, as well as over areas with bone fractures or muscle strains. It's important to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before trying cupping therapy to determine whether it's safe for you.