CUPPING

Cupping is a modality of traditional Chinese medicine in which glass cups are suctioned to the skin using heat to create a vacuum. This therapy helps to eliminate toxins, relieve congestion, improve circulation and relieve muscle tension.

Lung Issues: Cupping over the lungs helps to loosen up phlegm, boost immunity and deepen breathing. It's effective for common colds, asthma and allergies.

Detoxification: When we talk about detoxifying, what we are treally trying to do is to clear excess heat that burdens the liver. This accumulates from stress, eating processed foods, drinking alcohol and coffee, and taking pharmaceuticals. Cupping clears excess heat from the body, as evidenced by the red marks that can linger on the skin for several days after.

Weight Loss: Rich, high-fat and processed foods bog down the Spleen-Stomach system and create mucus in the body. This results in bloating, gas, loose stools and abdominal distension. Cupping can help clear this mucus and aid in weight loss.

Musculoskeletal Pain: Cupping is like a reverse massage, using suction rather than pressure to relax the muscles. The heat and suction also work to bring fresh blood to a pain area and release blockages there. It is useful for back, neck and shoulder pain, and sciatica.

The cups can be left stationary or slid along pre-oiled skin, depending on the ailment. While cups can be applied to just about any area of the body, it is common to have cupping performed on the back, neck, shoulders and thighs. There are marks on the skin after cupping, which tend to fade in 2-5 days.