Cupping, controversial alternative medicine & bull; hello healthy

You must have heard of cupping. This therapy is one of the oldest alternative treatments available and is believed to cure various diseases.

One of the oldest medical books in the world, Ebers Papyrus , describes that the ancient Egyptians used this therapy in 1550 BC. So, how does science respond to cupping therapy for the treatment of various diseases? Find the answer in the following review.

What is cupping?

Maybe you think that cupping therapy is only for ordinary people or people. Interestingly, a number of well-known names such as the artist Jennifer Anniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Busy Phillips, Victoria Beckham, to tennis player Andy Murray have also done this therapy, you know.

Cupping is a practice used in traditional medicine in several parts of the world, including China and the Middle East. This treatment has been around for thousands of years and is said to be effective in relieving muscle aches and pains.

The way this alternative medicine works is arguably like a vacuum. Later, a special device shaped like a cup will suck the layers of skin and fat from the muscle, and sometimes even transfer the muscle layers to one another.

Cups used for cupping therapy can be made of glass, plastic, and silicone. Interestingly, a thousand years ago the cups used for cupping were made of animal horns, bamboo, or clay.

You can apply this alternative remedy on any part of the body that hurts. However, the back, neck, and shoulders are the most frequent sites for cupping therapy. Sometimes, this therapy is done in conjunction with acupuncture treatment.

Usually, the therapist will ask the patient to fast or just eat lightly for two to three hours before the cupping session is carried out. This is done in order to optimize the benefits of cupping therapy itself.

Types of cupping

Based on the process, this alternative medicine is divided into two types, namely:

Baked dry

According to Ann Michele Casco, L.AC., a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine as well as an acupuncturist, the classic cupping technique is called ba guan zi, which is fire or dry cupping.

In general, both dry and wet cupping are done using a small cup that is placed over an ashi point (problem area) or acupuncture point. Previously placed on the surface of the skin, the cup will be heated first. This heating process is carried out by inserting a combustible substance, such as alcohol, herbal ingredients, or certain paper into a cup and then burning it with fire.

When the fire starts to reduce and eventually goes out, the therapist will immediately place the cup upside down on the surface of the skin. The cup will be left on the surface of the skin for two to minutes.

Later, the air in the cup gradually cools, creating a vacuum that pulls the skin and muscles upward into the cup. This sucked in will be reddened as your blood vessels respond to changes in pressure.

In order for the cup to come off easily, the therapist will usually apply massage oil or cream. After that, the therapist will place a silicone cup and slide it around the body rhythmically to create a massage-like effect.

During treatment, the therapist may place three to seven plates over the surface of your skin.

Wet cupping

A more modern variation of cupping uses a rubber pump. Several clinical studies from China show that this innovation in cupping technology is considered more comfortable for patients.

Wet cupping is done by puncturing or making small incisions in the skin where the cupping is used. After that, the cup is again placed on the surface of the pricked or slashed skin to remove some blood. The blood that comes out will be collected in a saucer. It is said that blood that comes out of the puncture during this procedure is considered dirty blood.

After the cup is removed, the therapist will usually apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the area with a bandage. This is done to prevent infection.

Whether it's dry or wet cupping, both will cause reddish or purplish bruises on the skin. These bruises are temporary and generally disappear within 10 days of therapy.

Cupping helps improve blood flow

Quoting Kenneth Johnson, PT, director of outpatient therapy services at Johns Hopkins Medicines on the Prevention page, the two main reasons this alternative medicine is used is to reduce pain and help increase the patient's range of motion.

Some other experts who support this therapy believe that cupping can help increase blood flow, relax fascia or connective tissue, and also remove harmful substances and toxins from the body to speed up the healing process.

In terms of Chinese medicine, the flow of chi, aka stagnant life force and blood can cause pain and illness. Well, this alternative medicine helps improve circulation of chi and blood in problem areas.

By drawing dirty blood to the surface of the skin, cupping helps remove harmful substances and toxins from the body. As a result, all aches and pains experienced by sufferers can immediately improve.

Meanwhile, from the perspective of Western physicology, cupping can help loosen connective tissue or fascia and stimulate blood flow to the surface. This alternative medicine also helps relax the tissues and cells in the body.

Quoting from the page Medicine Net, a physiologist and acupuncturist from the United States Helene Langevin managed to document changes in the cell level using an ultrasonic camera. Based on his observations it is known that alternative treatments such as cupping, acupuncture, and massage can help relax tense tissue and reduce signs of inflammation.

This occurs because the cytokine compounds (chemical messengers) of inflammation in the body are reduced. However, the cytokines that promote healing and relaxation actually increase. In addition, this alternative medicine can also help promote mental health and physical relaxation.

Claims of benefits of cupping therapy

One report published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine notes that this therapy can help with acne, shingles, and pain relief. The same thing was also found from a report in 2012 published in the journal PloS One.

In the report, Australian and Chinese researchers reviewed 135 studies that discussed this alternative medicine between 1992 and 2010. As a result, the researchers concluded that cupping may be effective when combined with other treatments, such as acupuncture or medical drugs to treat various diseases. and conditions, such as:

• Shingles
• Acne
• Cough
• Dyspenia
• Lumbar hernial
• Cervical spondylosis
• Facial stiffness

However, the researchers acknowledged that all of the studies they reviewed contained a high degree of bias. Therefore, the researchers say that new and better studies are needed to find the right conclusions and results for this therapy.

Although it still requires further research, the British Cupping Society also claims that cupping therapy can help treat:

• Blood disorders, such as anemia and hemophilia
• Rheumatic diseases, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia
• Fertility and disorders associated with gynecology (uterus)
• Skin problems, such as eczema and acne
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Migraine
• Anxiety and depression
• Bronchial obstruction caused by allergies and asthma
• Dilation of blood vessels (varicose veins)

Much further research is still needed

Although it is claimed to offer many health benefits, this therapy is actually somewhat controversial. The reason is, not a few experts who oppose cupping therapy as an alternative treatment.

Therefore, despite all the claims of benefits that alternative medicine offers, much more extensive research is needed to ascertain its true benefits.

Before doing this alternative medicine, you should first consult a doctor. Especially for those of you who may have serious medical conditions that require extra attention.

Be aware of the side effects of cupping

Although it can be called a natural treatment, this therapy can also cause side effects. One of the most obvious side effects of cupping therapy is the presence of round purple marks or bruises on the skin.

These bruises are formed from capillaries (blood vessels) that burst as a result of being inhaled or sucked in by a hot plate. Now, these broken capillaries cause blood clots to form underneath the cup, thus creating the distinctive shape and color of the bruise. The good news is that these side effects of bruising usually disappear within three to five days after the patient has finished therapy.

Other side effects that patients can experience when doing this therapy include:

• Swollen
• Pain or discomfort in the area of ​​the skin where the cup is placed
• The skin burns slightly
• The scars that don't go away
• Skin infection

If the dishes are left on the skin too long, it can also cause blisters.

In serious cases, this alternative medicine can also cause serious side effects, namely bleeding inside the skull due to cupping on the scalp. Some people also experience thrombocytopenia, keloids, panniculitis, iron deficiency anemia, and skin pigmentation. The risk of infection, severe tissue, and blood loss can also occur due to repeated wet cupping.

Quoting on the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website, this alternative medicine also has the risk of transmitting blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis B and C. The risk of these side effects can occur due to using the same cupping equipment on more than one person without first sterilizing it between patients.

Therefore, before you do it, make sure that the therapy place you are visiting is trusted and its safety is guaranteed. Also make sure that the therapist who treats you is a professional who is trained and experienced in doing this treatment.

Remember, never haggle every time you take certain treatments to treat your condition. So, consider all the benefits and risks of each procedure that you will do well. Make sure that you are getting more benefits than risks.

Who should not do cupping therapy

The British Cupping Society explained that there are several groups that should avoid this therapy:

• Women who are menstruating or are pregnant
• People with metastatic cancer (cancer that spreads from one part of the body to another)
• People who have had a broken bone or muscle spasm
• People with certain health conditions, such as organ failure, hemophilia, edema, blood disorders, and some types of heart disease
• Elderly and children

In addition, people with diabetes and are currently using blood thinning drugs must also be careful when they want to do this therapy. In fact, you shouldn't even try. Instead of getting the benefits, doing these alternative remedies might actually make your condition worse.

For those of you who have sensitive or thin skin, you are also not suitable for this alternative medicine.

Body parts that should not be clamped

Although cupping can be done on any part of the body, this alternative treatment should not be applied to areas where the skin is damaged, irritated, or inflamed.

In addition, this treatment also should not be done in areas that have arteries, pulse, lymph nodes, eyes, holes, or are experiencing fractures.

Before cupping, pay attention to this first!

This alternative medicine is easy to find everywhere. However, if you are tempted to do it, make sure you don't do it anywhere.

There are several things you need to pay attention to before doing this treatment, including:

• Make sure the place you go to is trusted and guaranteed safety.
• Make sure that the therapist who will treat you is a trained and certified professional who has experience in doing this procedure.
• Make sure the tools used for therapy are of good quality and sterile. You don't want to catch the disease from the previous patient, don't you? I prevent this, you can ask the therapist directly about the safety of the tools you will use.

Don't forget, gather as much information as possible from previous patients to confirm your choice. You can start by reading patient testimonials from forums on the internet. Not only that, you can also ask family, relatives, friends, who may have or are currently doing this alternative medicine. Typically, word of mouth is better for advice and support for choosing the right clinic and therapist than guessing alone.

Remember, what's natural isn't necessarily good for you. So, before doing this alternative medicine, make sure you have carefully weighed all the benefits and risks.