Looking For Pain Relief? Try Cupping Therapy!

During the procedure of cupping therapy, the therapist puts a flammable substance in the cup to set it on fire. As the fire goes out, the cups are put upside down on the skin. Now as the air present inside the cup cools it results in the creation of a vacuum which causes the skin to rise and redden as the expansion of the blood vessels take place. A modern method which is being used currently is a rubber pump instead of fire which helps to create the vacuum. Sometimes, the therapists use cups made of silicone which is moved from place to place on the skin of the affected area to give a massage-like effect.

The cupping therapy is proven to provide a significant amount of relief to the individuals suffering from a number of rheumatic diseases like arthritis, fibromyalgia and a lot of other types of pain. This treatment targets the blood vessels and enhances the flow of blood to the affected regions which in turn helps to provide relief to painful conditions. The procedure has been traditionally used in treating other conditions like facial paralysis, cough, asthma, lumbar disc herniation, cervical spondylosis, etc. as well. This treatment can be more effective if it is used along with medications and acupuncture.

Though the procedure does not have any serious side effects on the individual undergoing the therapy, the side effects of the therapy cannot be ruled out completely. The areas of the skin where the cups touch can give rise to mild discomfort, little burns & bruises and some infection of the skin but all are mild. It is recommended not to go this cupping therapy if you have sensitive skin.

Typically, the practitioners of ancient Chinese medicines perform this treatment. To perform this treatment, medical practitioners with the skills of an acupuncturist can get a license from a national as well as state licensing agency like the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or NCCAOM. These practitioners tend to have approximately 3000 hours of hardcore training and must pass examinations before they start practicing. Look for a licensed practitioner if you want to get the treatment and not some random medical practitioner.