Many different types of Chinese medicine are widely used by people of all ages and health levels. The main goal with these medicines is to find a holistic approach that minimises the need for synthetic medicines.
Some Australians prefer indulging in Chinese medicine by opting for the acupuncture Brighton physicians recommend. Other individuals prefer to combine acupuncture with cupping. What is cupping, and how will it benefit your overall well-being? Keep reading to find out.
What is Chinese Cupping?
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Chinese cupping has been around for a very long time and has become even more popular in recent years. Typically, the cupping process refers to an ancient physical therapy performed to promote the body’s own healing process. To do this, special suction cups are applied onto the skin, which encourage the flow of Qi (energy), blood, and other bodily fluids to the affected area.
While applying the cupping process, the practitioner will create a vacuum inside a glass cup, which is then gently placed on the skin. Typically, a vacuum is created using a flash of flame. The vacuum then draws the skin gently upwards, which then allows increased circulation in the area. Cups are generally kept in place for at least 15 minutes and are moved from one area to another. While cupping can be performed on any part of the body, practitioners usually apply it to the abdomen or back.
A Lot of Positives for Your Overall Health
Cupping is regarded by many as being one of the more effective Chinese medicines used by everyone from swimming Olympian Michael Phelps to Gwyneth Paltrow and even Jennifer Aniston. The good news is that this treatment is simple and affordable enough to be enjoyed by everyone who can use a wellness boost. We’ve compiled the top reasons why this treatment should make it onto your self-care list.
1. Excellent Way to Minimise Anxiety
If you find yourself dealing with feelings of anxiety or stress, then cupping may be just what the doctor ordered. During the cupping treatment, the practitioner will glide the cups across your skin. When this happens, the parasympathetic nervous system is engaged.
Typically, your parasympathetic nervous system needs to slow your heart rate, increase intestinal and gland activity and assist in digestion. So, when this system is engaged, you instantly feel relaxed. Combined with acupuncture, cupping can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety.
2. Promotes Toxin Release from Tissues
Modern living and hectic work, and social schedules often overload the body with harmful toxins. While it’s true that the liver is primarily responsible for removing these toxins, this hard-working organ can sometimes struggle to keep up with your dietary choices. Luckily, cupping gives your body a much-needed boost in getting these toxins released.
3. Instantly Boosts Blood Circulation
A key benefit of cupping is that it increases blood circulation to the specific areas where the cups are placed. An increase in blood circulation supplies the body’s muscles with oxygen and fresh blood. In addition to this, the additional blood flow relieves muscle tension, promotes cell repair and has also been known to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
4. Reduces the Formation of Varicose and Spider Veins
Anyone dealing with varicose veins knows how uncomfortable it can be. When the valves inside the veins in your legs don’t effectively push blood from the leg muscle back to the heart, the blood can constrict. This causes the veins to twist and eventually bulge, causing what’s commonly referred to as varicose veins.
Since cupping boosts your overall blood flow, it forces oxygen to affected muscles. This can significantly reduce your varicose veins. Many patients have reported that their varicose veins appeared much lighter after your first session.
5. Can Help Clear Up Colon Blockages
Depending on where the cups are placed, the cupping process increases the blood flow to your abdomen, which includes the digestive tract. This will go a long way toward aiding digestion by encouraging food to move through your digestive tract. It also helps to clear colon blockages and relieve indigestion.
6. Reduces Chest Congestion
Do you often feel flu-like even when you don’t have the flu? Or do you routinely deal with chest congestion? Chest congestion is typically the build-up of phlegm and fluid in your lungs, and it is typically caused by a cold, flu, bronchitis, or even asthma.
During cupping, the suction from the cups breaks up and expels congestion. This, in turn, moves oxygen-rich blood toward your lungs and other respiratory muscles. For this treatment, the suction cups are placed on the back or chest. They can be left in place or gently moved upward to facilitate the movement of the lymph fluid.
Final Thoughts
Traditional cupping has several wonderful benefits that make it easy to see why Australians are adding this treatment to their overall wellness regimen. Cupping can easily be done as a therapy on its own or incorporated as a holistic approach with acupuncture or massage. If you’re suffering from chronic pain or you’re feeling generally run down, it may be a good idea to give cupping a try!