Generality
Cupping is a therapeutic practice of alternative medicine, which involves the sucking of some anatomical areas of the human body, using special jars, with the ultimate intent of bringing benefits to the individual subjected to the treatment in question.
There are several types of cupping; the most common types are dry cupping, wet cupping, and mobile cupping.
At present, no scientific studies have proven that cupping has a real therapeutic effect. In other words, according to science, cupping would be completely ineffective.
What is cupping?
Cupping is a therapeutic practice of alternative medicine, which involves the sucking (or aspiration) of some anatomical points of the human body; for this purpose, it exploits the application on the skin of special jars, with the final aim of promoting the health and well-being of the individual subjected to the treatment in question.
WHO CAN PRACTICE CUP?
The practice of cupping is only for persons qualified by a specific certification.
ORIGINS
According to some historical testimonies, the practice of cupping has very ancient roots. The description of a similar technique would in fact appear in one of the oldest medical texts still present today, dating back to Ancient Egypt: the famous Ebers Papyrus (1550 BC).
Operation
According to those who practice cupping, sucking a portion of the body would determine, at the level of the anatomical area concerned, a series of closely linked events:
- The first event is the release of soft tissues and connective tissues;
- The second event is the increased influx of blood and lymph;
- The third and final event is a more effective elimination of waste substances and toxins by the body's cells.
In other words, where it is applied, skin sucking would promote blood and lymphatic circulation, thus encouraging the elimination of waste products and toxins from the body.
It is through the elimination of waste products and toxins that cupping brings well-being to patients.
CRITICAL AREAS FOR SUCTION
In the theories of those who practice cupping, the sites of sucking depend on the condition that the patient complains about and that the therapist wants to cure.
This means that depending on what the purpose of the cupping is, the anatomical points on which the therapist applies the jars are different.
In fact, it is important to point out that the critical areas of application of the jars are limited and located in specific points of the human body.
A certified therapist knows the critical areas and knows when to apply the jars.
Indications
According to its promoters and practitioners, cupping would benefit those suffering from:
- Headache and migraine;
- Rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia;
- Hypertension;
- Sciatica;
- Intercostal neuralgia;
- Anxiety and depression;
- Bronchial asthma;
- Fertility disorders;
- Gynecological diseases;
- Varicose veins;
- Sense of tiredness and recurrent fatigue;
- Neck pain;
- Back pain.
How it is done
Those who resort to cupping must, first of all, undergo a thorough physical examination and a "careful medical history, at the specialist who will carry out the treatment. Physical examination and medical history are two mandatory steps, as they allow the therapist to:
- Establish the patient's state of health;
- Understanding the reasons why the patient wants to resort to cupping;
- Plan on which points of the human body it is best to apply the jars.
Once this preliminary phase has been completed, the actual treatment can begin.
In order for the jars to favor the flow of blood and lymph to the affected areas, it is essential to create a vacuum inside. To obtain the vacuum inside the jars, there are two techniques:
- A first technique provides for the heating and subsequent cooling of the air contained in the interior of the jar. To heat the air, the therapist uses potentially dangerous flammable substances (eg alcohol). This is why this first technique is less and less in vogue.
- A second technique involves the use of a special mechanical pump. It is a safe technique that guarantees excellent results.
The application time of the jars is variable and depends on the purpose of the cupping. In some cases it may be only 3 minutes; in other cases, however, it could be as long as 10-15 minutes.
TYPES OF CUP
There are several types of cupping. Among the various types of existing cupping, the three most common are probably the most common: dry cupping, wet cupping and mobile cupping.
- Wet cupping: on the occasion of this type of cupping, the therapist temporarily removes the jars for sucking and practices small incisions in the skin areas freed from the aforementioned jars. Then, reapply the jars to the same skin areas and suck again. Differently from the beginning, this time the suction involves a small leakage of blood from the incisions (N.B: it is from the outflow of blood from the incisions that the term “wet” originates).
At the end of the treatment, the therapist applies, on the incised areas, an ointment with antibiotic properties and a protective bandage, in order to prevent episodes of infection.
For the creation of the vacuum inside the jars, both available techniques are indicated. - Dry cupping: this type of cupping involves the creation of a low pressure zone at the level of the skin area, on which the therapist applies the jars.
Unlike wet cupping, it does not require any skin incision (which is why it is defined as "dry" or "dry").
For the creation of the vacuum inside the jars, both available techniques are indicated, even if there is a particular preference for the use of the mechanical pump. - Mobile cupping: cupping is called mobile, which involves moving the jars during the course of the treatment. In order to perform this type of cupping, the therapist first lubricates the skin with an oily solution, which allows the jars present on the surface of the body to slide.
For the creation of the vacuum inside the jars, both available techniques are indicated.
Each type of cupping has its own advantages and disadvantages (the so-called “pros” and “cons”).
The choice of the type of cupping adopted is up to the therapist and depends on what the patient's problems are and on the therapist's preferences.
INSTRUMENTATION: THE JARS
The jars used for cupping can be in glass, plastic, bamboo, terracotta or silicone.
The choice to use jars of a certain material, rather than another, depends on the type of cupping the therapist uses.
The number of jars used during a session is generally between 3 and 5; rarely, the jars used are more than 5.
CUP AND ACUPUNCTURE
Cupping is often related to acupuncture, as it appears to have a better therapeutic effect in this way.
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine practice that involves the insertion of small needles on specific areas of the human body, with the ultimate aim of promoting the health and well-being of the individual undergoing the treatment in question.
Risks and complications
When practiced by qualified personnel, cupping is a fairly safe and low-risk practice. In fact, only in rare circumstances does it give rise to side effects.
Possible side effects of cupping include:
- Hematomas;
- Burns (only if using the technique of heating and cooling the air inside the jars);
- Ache;
- Skin infections.
Contraindications
Cupping has several contraindications.
In fact, experts strongly advise against it in case of:
- Heart failure;
- Kidney failure;
- Ascites due to liver cirrhosis or severe edema;
- Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or allergic purpura;
- Dermatosis (eg: allergic dermatitis);
- Bone fractures (temporary contraindication);
- Sunburn (temporary contraindication);
- Healing skin wounds (temporary contraindication);
- Obesity;
- Excessive thinness;
- Severe psoriasis.
Criticisms
As of 2015, no scientific and clinical studies have demonstrated the effective therapeutic efficacy of cupping. This explains why many doctors advise against the aforementioned practice in the presence of health problems for which valid treatments of traditional medicine exist, and define it as a pseudoscience.
WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY?
In 2008, British science writer Simon Singh and doctor Edzard Ernst collaborated on a text entitled "Needles, Potions and Massages", in which they explicitly state that there is a lack of scientific evidence in favor of the therapeutic power of cupping, against any health condition (NB: the original title of "Needles, Potions and Massages" is "Trick and Treatment”)
In addition, a recent statement from the American Cancer Society (American Cancer Society), in which the latter declares that there is no convincing scientific evidence to support a possible antitumor power of cupping; indeed, he is keen to specify that the practice of cupping involves, for the patient, a considerable risk of burns.
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