Although cupping became popular in recent years, this practice has been used for thousands of years. The origins have been traced to ancient Egypt, China, and the Middle east. Today, cupping is mainly used in chiropractic care to alleviate pain, stimulate muscle recovery, increase circulation, and improve well-being.
So, what is cupping exactly? Read on to discover how cupping works, its benefits, its downsides, and where you can try cupping in Spring, TX.
What Is Cupping?
Cupping is a form of deep tissue massage that uses the power of suction and decompression to achieve certain health benefits. Chiropractic practitioners often use it to improve blood flow, speed up muscle recovery, decrease pain, improve flexibility, and reduce inflammation. That’s why athletes commonly use this method to boost their recovery and performance. In fact, cupping became a worldwide phenomenon during the 2016 Olympics, when you could see many athletes with recognizable circular marks on their back from the cupping sessions.
How Does Cupping Work?
In contrast with other manual therapies that use downward pressure to promote muscle relaxation, cupping uses suction. Your chiropractor places special cups on the problematic area of your skin. The cups are made of glass, silicone, ceramic, bamboo, or metal.
There are several cupping methods, but the main idea is to remove the oxygen from inside the cup, create a vacuum, and then quickly place it on the skin to create suction. Practitioners usually do that by placing a cup over a heat source or using tubes that suck the air out.
What Are the Benefits of Cupping?
Chiropractors use cupping to:
- Stimulate circulation
- Relieve pain
- Relax tense muscles
- Improve range of motion
- Reduce stress
- Boost recovery
- Improve general well-being
Some practitioners report that cupping can help their clients control anxiety, alleviate migraines, aid fatigue, and balance hormones. In addition, practitioners in China often use these procedures to support lung conditions such as asthma. Chiropractors also use cupping to treat:
- Anemia
- Skin problems like acne or eczema
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- High blood pressure
- Varicose veins
- Allergies
- Depression
However, we need more solid evidence to confirm that cupping is effective for these uses.
Are There Any Side Effects to Cupping?
The most noticeable thing about cupping is those circular marks in places where suction was created. That’s due to broken blood vessels beneath the skin, similar to bruises. However, these circular spots are usually painless and disappear after some time.
Cupping is generally considered safe when performed by a licensed chiropractor. Still, side effects can occur, including:
- Skin discolorations
- Burns
- Scars
- Infections
- Mild discomfort
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Bruising
In addition, cupping may worsen certain skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Finally, if the cups aren’t properly cleaned between sessions, they may get contaminated with blood (during wet cupping), which can spread bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis B and C. That’s why it is vital to go to a licensed chiropractor.
Where to Find a Chiropractor in Spring, TX?
You need a licensed chiropractor to achieve the best cupping results without compromising the procedure’s safety. You can find the best chiropractic experts in Spring Chiropractic & Rehab. Our center is led by the knowledgeable Dr. Scott Bolz, who has over 25 years of experience in different chiropractic treatments, including cupping.
Click here to schedule an appointment at Spring Chiropractic & Rehab, and get the chiropractic care you deserve.
