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Cupping
Cupping has recently been brought to public attention in this country by
Gwyneth Paltrow sporting two marks on her back. However, cupping is in
fact another Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy dating back to at least
300AD in China. The therapy has also been used in folk medicine in
Eastern Europe, Greece, Mexico and Vietnam. In the Middle East it is
called 'pull with air' or 'bod-kesh', and it has also been used in Jewish
folk remedies where the Yiddish name is 'bankes'.
Cupping is used to eliminate toxins, improve circulation, relieve pain,
release areas of tension, and to stimulate acupuncture points. It can
help treat conditions such as the common cold and other respiratory
disorders, and is very effective at relieving areas of musculoskeletal
pain. It can also be helpful in gynaecological or digestive problems
where it is used in place of needles to stimulate acupressure points.
In cupping therapy a vacuum is created within a glass cup so that it
sticks onto the body. The skin and superficial muscle layer is gently
drawn up into the cup. The sensation is not unpleasant, in fact many
patients find it immediately relieves tension and has a calming effect.
Cupping can also be used as a form of moving massage where oil is applied
first and the cups are then glided along the body. When used this way
cupping feels like a deep massage and is often requested by patients again
and again.
According to the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, recent studies
have been done on cupping treatment for frozen shoulder, acute trigeminal
neuralgia, acne, urticaria and fever. Like all TCM therapies, cupping can
be used alone, or combined with acupuncture or massage.
To read about a session of cupping with Amanda click
here. |
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