Before reading this article, I sincerely invite you to click "Follow", so that you can access a series of high-quality health articles at any time, and at the same time facilitate discussion and sharing, thank you for your support!!
"Of course! Isn't this black thing just a toxin in the body?" Aunt Li said with an oath.
When Dr. Chen heard this conversation, he couldn't help but interject: "Aunt Li, don't be misled. The black liquid wasn't actually a toxin. "
Aunt Li looked surprised: "Huh? Not a toxin? What's that?"
Dr. Chen smiled: "Many people have doubts about this question. Why don't we sit down and have a good talk?"
Aunt Li and her neighbor, Aunt Wang, were immediately interested and followed Dr. Chen into the consultation room.
Dr. Chan began to explain: "The black liquid that comes out of cupping is mainly blood oozing out after the capillaries have ruptured. Because blood clots and darkens quickly after leaving the blood vessels, it appears black. "
"Huh? I see. Aunt Li suddenly realized, "Then why would some people say that this is the toxin discharged?"
Dr. Chan pondered for a moment and said, "This may have something to do with the concept of 'blood stasis' in Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that blood stasis is one of the causes of many diseases. But modern medical research has shown that the so-called 'blood stasis' does not exist. "
Aunt Wang interjected: "But I heard that cupping can cure many diseases, what's going on?"
Dr. Chen nodded: "Cupping does have a certain therapeutic effect, but it is not achieved through detoxification. It mainly works by improving local blood circulation and relieving muscle tension. "
Aunt Li thought thoughtfully: "Then what are the benefits of cupping?"
Dr Chan explains, "Cupping can help relieve some muscle soreness and improve local circulation. But it doesn't detoxify and it doesn't treat serious ailments. "
Aunt Wang asked, "Will there be any side effects of cupping?"
Dr Chan said solemnly, "If you don't do it properly, you can really be risky. For example, it can cause skin burns and even infection. Therefore, it is necessary to go to a regular medical institution. "
Aunt Li suddenly remembered something: "By the way, a friend of mine said that she felt very relaxed after cupping, why is that?"
Dr Chan laughs, "There could be several reasons for this. First of all, cupping does relieve muscle tension, so it will feel light. Second, there may also be a placebo effect. "
"The placebo effect? What's that?" Aunt Wang asked curiously.
"That is, if you believe that a treatment works, you may feel better even if it doesn't actually have a physiological effect," Dr Chan explains. This is a very interesting phenomenon in medicine. "
Aunt Li thought thoughtfully: "So, part of the effect of cupping is psychological?"
Dr. Chen nodded, "That's true." But that doesn't mean it's completely useless. Even psychological effects are valuable as long as they make people feel comfortable. "
Aunt Wang suddenly asked, "Is there any difference between Chinese medicine and Western medicine on cupping?"
Dr. Chan pondered for a moment and replied, "It is true that there is a difference in the understanding of cupping between Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that cupping can 'dispel wind and cold, promote qi and invigorate blood', while Western medicine pays more attention to its effect on local blood circulation and muscle relaxation. "
Aunt Li asked curiously, "Then as a Western doctor, what do you think of Chinese medicine?"
Dr. Chan smiled and said, "Traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine have their own advantages. We should learn from each other's strengths, not deny each other. For example, while I don't agree that cupping detoxifies people, I do admit that it is effective in relieving certain symptoms. "
Aunt Wang nodded: "That's right." So what else can be done to improve blood circulation besides cupping?"
Dr. Chan excitedly said, "Glad you asked this question!" In fact, there are many ways to improve blood circulation, and they are safer and more effective than cupping. For example, regular exercise is a good way to do this. "
Aunt Li asked, "How exactly should I exercise?"
Dr Chan explains, "You can choose some aerobic exercises, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, etc. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. In addition, it is important to maintain a good diet. "
Aunt Wang asked, "What should I pay attention to in my diet?"
Dr. Chan replied, "Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein in moderation. At the same time, salt and saturated fat intake should be controlled. This not only improves blood circulation, but also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. "
Aunt Li suddenly realized: "It turns out that a healthy lifestyle is so important." So what else do we need to pay attention to?"
"In addition to exercise and diet, it is important to get enough sleep, avoid smoking and drinking, and maintain a positive and optimistic attitude. These help us maintain good blood circulation and overall health. "
Aunt Wang thought thoughtfully: "Listening to what you say, it seems that the effect of cupping is not so magical."
Dr. Chen nodded, "That's right." Many people have some misconceptions about the effects of cupping. It does alleviate some symptoms, but it's by no means a panacea. We should pay more attention to the daily healthy lifestyle. "
Aunt Li suddenly remembered something: "By the way, I heard that some people use cupping to lose weight, is this reliable?"
Dr. Chan shook his head: "This is a common misconception. Cupping does not help with weight loss. The most effective way to lose weight is to control your diet and increase exercise. "
Aunt Wang asked curiously: "Then why do some people think that cupping can lose weight?"
Dr Chan explains, "It may be that after cupping, the local skin will look firmer temporarily. But this is only a temporary effect and does not really reduce fat. "
Aunt Li suddenly realized: "I see. It seems that we need to be wary of some popular narratives. "
Dr. Chan agreed, "That's right. When it comes to health, we need to believe in science and not believe in so-called 'home remedies'. If you have any doubts, it is best to consult a professional doctor. "
Aunt Wang sighed: "I really learned a lot today. Thank you, Dr. Chan. Aunt Li and Aunt Wang nodded in agreement and prepared to leave the consultation room. Just then, a young man pushed the door open and entered.
"Dr. Chen, I heard that you are explaining the knowledge of cupping, can you also tell me about it?" The young man asked eagerly. Dr. Chan smiled and said, "Of course, Mr. Zhang." Why don't you sit down and let's talk?"
After Mr. Zhang sat down, Dr. Chan began to conclude, "The main thing we just discussed is that the liquid that comes out of cupping is not a toxin, but blood after the capillaries have been ruptured. The main effect of cupping is to improve local blood circulation and relieve muscle tension, not to detoxify. "
Mr. Zhang nodded: "I understand." Is there anything else to pay attention to in cupping?"
Dr. Chen said seriously: "First of all, cupping should be carried out in a regular medical institution, and you should not operate it at will. Secondly, not everyone is suitable for cupping, such as those with wounds on the skin and a tendency to bleed. Finally, cupping is only an adjunct and is not a substitute for formal medical treatment. "
After listening to Dr. Chen's explanation, the three of them felt that they had benefited a lot. They have expressed that they want to share this knowledge with the people around them, so that more people can understand the scientific concept of health.
Disclaimer: This article is for reference only, and the medical knowledge described is true and well-founded, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any health problems, please consult a doctor or other
Bibliography:
1. Li Zhiwei, Zhang Hongmei. Research Progress on the Mechanism of Action of Cupping Therapy[J]. Chinese Journal of Basic Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2018, 24(3): 428-430.
2. Wang Yanhui, Li Xiaomei. Research progress on clinical application and mechanism of cupping therapy[J]. China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Information, 2019, 26(5): 126-129.
3. Chen Shaoai, Liu Jianping. Evidence-based medical evaluation of the clinical application of cupping therapy[J]. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 2017, 17(7): 848-853.