Cupping has a long history and is loved by many people. It dates back to China in the 2nd century BC. At that time in China, people used animal horns for treatment, called the "horn method", which was mainly used to solve problems such as hemorrhoids.
This treatment was not only popular in ancient China, but also in ancient Greece and Rome, people also used cupping to drain excess fluid from the body, believing that it would cure diseases.
In the Tang Dynasty, cupping tools evolved from animal horns to lighter and easy-to-use bamboo tubes, and in the Qing Dynasty, clay pots made of clay firing appeared, using fire to generate negative pressure to make the jar close to the skin to achieve the therapeutic effect.
Modern cupping combines the theories of traditional Chinese medicine with modern medical techniques to make it more effective.
Whether it's in a beauty salon or a wellness center, you can see cupping as a common service, many people use it to relieve muscle pain, tone the body, and some even believe that it can help remove toxins from the body.
Is the blood sucked out of the cupping cup a toxin in the body?
Many people think that it is because the toxins in the body are being sucked out. In fact, there is no scientific basis for this claim.
Cupping is done by applying negative pressure to the skin so that the jar is pressed against the skin, which causes the capillaries under the skin to rupture, resulting in the formation of those familiar ecchymosis. These bruises are not toxins, but normal blood components.
The claim that cupping can detox is actually a misconception. The "toxins" in our body are mainly processed by the liver and kidneys.
The liver is not only our main detoxification organ, but it also plays an important role in protecting us from toxic substances.
Complex chemical reactions are taking place all the time to transform substances that can harm our health.
The liver's detoxification process can be said to be quite complex and delicate. It disposes of these toxic substances in several different ways. The first is chemical reactions, which include reactions such as oxidation, reduction, decomposition, etc.
Through these chemical reactions, toxic substances are converted into more harmless substances. For example, the liver binds them to amino acids or glucuronic acid so that the processed toxins can more easily dissolve in our bile or urine and then be safely excreted.
Next is secretion. Some heavy metals, or certain microorganisms in the intestines, can be excreted from the body through bile.
This approach is simple, but it's just as important because it helps our system get rid of harmful substances that may accumulate through the food chain.
The liver also has a accumulation effect. It can temporarily store some alkaloids, releasing these substances gradually, in small amounts, to mitigate the possible poisoning process.
This sustained-release effect makes it especially important for the liver to deal with some long-term or chronic exposure to toxins.
Finally, we have to mention the Kupf cells in the liver. These cells have a powerful phagocytic function and play a role mainly when hepatocytes are damaged.
They are able to engulf germs and other harmful substances, thus protecting the liver from further damage. This defense mechanism of Kupffer cells is an important aspect of our body's defense against foreign aggression.
And when it comes to detoxification, we usually think of kidneys. However, the kidneys are actually detoxification organs, and their main task is to process and eliminate metabolic wastes, unlike the liver, which is directly involved in the detoxification process.
If the liver is the factory responsible for disposing of the garbage, then the kidneys are the cleaners responsible for sending the garbage out at the end.
While the health benefits of cupping have been questioned by some, there's no denying that it does help in some cases as an adjunctive form of treatment.
What are the functions of cupping?
Cupping can activate the meridians, and by forming negative pressure on the skin, the jar is tightly adsorbed to the body surface, so that the blood circulation in the local area is improved.
This method, especially for those who work in the office, can be said to be a simple and affordable way to relieve the neck, shoulder, back and leg pain caused by sitting for a long time.
It's not just about relieving pain, it's about improving overall blood circulation, which helps maintain the body's long-term health.
Again, the effect of cupping on qi and blood should not be underestimated.
In traditional Chinese medicine theory, the flow of qi and blood is the foundation of health, and cupping can help improve various problems caused by poor qi and blood by promoting blood circulation, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lumbar muscle strain.
This method of regulating the body's functions in a natural way is not only effective, but also does not have to worry about the side effects of the drug.
In addition, cupping is also a good hand in reducing swelling and relieving pain.
For those acute sprains and soft tissue injuries caused by exercise or carelessness, cupping treatment can accelerate local metabolism and help the sore spot quickly return to normal.
Not only does this work quickly, but it also reduces swelling and discomfort in the affected area.
Of course, the effect of cupping is also an important reason why many people choose it.
Especially in the cold season, many people will feel cold and painful, at this time, a cupping can make you feel obvious warmth and comfort, as if you have received a warm sunshine in the winter.
Finally, cupping also has the effect of preventive health care. It is not only a treatment for pre-existing diseases, but also a lifestyle choice, through regular cupping, it can help to improve immunity, improve physical fitness, and prevent the occurrence of diseases.
Cupping is a great option for those who are health-conscious and want to maintain their health through natural remedies.
Although cupping is simple, it still needs to be used with care and safety to avoid unnecessary skin damage or infection.
How to operate cupping
Preparation before cupping is crucial. You'll need to have a variety of tools, including various types of fire canisters (glass, bamboo, or suction canisters are the most common), as well as 95% alcohol cotton balls or gauze, hemostats, and lighters.
Choosing a warm, quiet environment for cupping can make the person receiving the treatment more relaxed and easy to operate.
Traditionally, the most common is the flash fire method, which involves holding a cotton ball dipped in alcohol with a hemostat, quickly rotating it inside the canister and removing it, and then placing the canister in a designated position.
The key to this method is to be fast to ensure that sufficient negative pressure is formed in the tank.
There is also the fire throwing method, in which the lit alcohol cotton ball is placed in the canister and then the canister is placed on the body, which is suitable for lateral operation.
In addition, the more common method in modern times is the pumping method, which uses an air extraction pump to extract the air from the tank, which is simple and safe to operate.
Cupping time control is also crucial, usually within 10 to 15 minutes per cupping session to avoid over-irritating the skin or causing unnecessary damage.
After cupping, the method of lifting the cupping also needs to be handled carefully, holding the body of the cup with one hand and gently pressing the skin with the other hand to loosen the edge of the cup and easily remove it.
Finally, skin care after cupping cannot be neglected. Ensure proper disinfection of the cupping site to prevent infection. At the same time, check the skin condition before and after cupping, and avoid cupping on areas with wounds, ulcers, or infections.
With these simple steps, cupping can be easily implemented at home. However, if it is the first time to try, or if you have special health conditions, it is recommended to do it under the guidance of a professional.
Cupping is simple, but everyone's physical condition is different, and proper guidance can help you enjoy the benefits of cupping more safely and effectively.
Other traditional Chinese medicine treatments
In addition to cupping, there are many other traditional therapies in TCM, such as acupuncture.
Acupuncture is not only loved by Chinese people, but also has many fans all over the world. Its charm lies in its unique treatment method - "internal and external treatment", that is, the treatment of internal diseases by stimulating specific acupuncture points on the surface of the body.
Before starting the treatment, the TCM practitioner will make a comprehensive judgment of the condition through the four diagnostic methods of seeing, hearing, asking, and cutting. This is not just a matter of looking at and listening to the patient's description of the symptoms, but also a process of in-depth exploration of the cause, its nature and its relationship with the internal organs.
Through these meticulous diagnoses, the physician can determine which meridian the lesion belongs to, which viscera, and which type of disease it belongs to, which type of disease is in the inside and outside, cold and heat, and the virtual and the real.
After diagnosis, the physician will select the appropriate acupuncture points for acupuncture according to the specific conditions of the condition. These acupuncture points are not chosen at random, but carefully coordinated according to the meridian theory.
The purpose of acupuncture is to regulate qi and blood, pass through the meridians and activate the meridians, so as to help restore the balance of yin and yang, promote the coordination of the function of the viscera, and achieve the purpose of curing diseases.
Then there's moxibustion, which is a method that uses the hot smoke of wormwood to tone the body.
Especially on cold days, moxibustion can warm the body and dispel cold, especially for those with a cold constitution. Do you know? Moxibustion can not only treat rheumatism, but also alleviate some digestive problems.
Gua sha may sound a little intimidating, but it's actually a very simple way to relax.
By scraping on the skin, it not only improves blood circulation, but also helps the body to rejuvenate and alleviate various common ailments caused by climate change, such as colds and headaches.
Tuina adjusts the body's meridians through manual pressure, which is very practical in our daily life. Whether it is cervical spondylosis for office workers or low back pain for the elderly, Tuina can provide some relief.
Qigong, which may be the most elaborate way of self-cultivation. By adjusting breathing and posture, Qigong not only strengthens the physique, but also improves the mental state.
In this stressful society, it is not a good idea to learn a few tricks of qigong to combat daily stress and anxiety.
Each therapy has its own unique beauty, and combined with the development of modern medicine, these traditional techniques of Chinese medicine have been given new life.
You might as well try and explore more in life, and maybe you will find that the golden key that opens the door to health is one of them.