Cupping therapy is gaining in popularity in New York City. You may have seen Olimpic athletes wearing cupping marks on their bodies or have noticed cupping marks on the ‘famous’ people on social media. This is because cupping therapy is a straightforward yet effective technique that can tremendously improve the quality of your life.
If you are looking for the best cupping therapy in NYC, you came to the right place. At our Acupuncture NYC clinic, we create a safe and convenient environment for different types of cupping therapy. Whether you are an elite athlete or simply a person who has aches and pains, we deliver the best results.
Also known as suction cup therapy, cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine that has been used for thousands of years. Cupping is considered an integral part of acupuncture practice. There are two distinct forms of cupping therapy: fire cupping and wet cupping.
Fire cupping is cupping therapy in which heated air inside a cup leads to the development of suction on the skin when applied against it. Once this negative pressure is created, we leave the cup on the skin for approximately ten minutes to make a cupping mark that may take several days to disappear after a cupping session.
Wet cupping is cupping therapy in which a small incision is made on the skin and cupped to create suction. To create negative pressure inside the cup, we pump out the air from the cup. Negative pressure draws stagnant blood from the capillaries into the suction cup. Similarly to fire cupping therapy, the cup stays on the skin for approximately ten minutes.
We use wet cupping therapy for similar reasons as fire cupping. However, wet cupping therapy has its advantages, such as it draws out more stagnant blood from the capillaries and produces more profound therapeutic results. Another distinct characteristic of wet cupping therapy is its ability to treat distally. For example, often, we use wet cupping therapy over a tender point between scapulas to treat knee pain. We also find wet cupping therapy to be more effective for treating colds and flu.
Cupping therapy can help with many ailments. It is an alternative method of relieving pain where conventional methods have failed or provide relief alongside other therapies like acupuncture to enhance acupuncture techniques. In Chinese medicine, we use cupping therapy with many purported benefits, notably removing toxins, unblocking Qi, improving blood flow, and helping an athlete recover faster from injury. Below are five main reasons to get cupping therapy:
Cupping therapy releases toxins from the body
Cupping therapy is one of the best ways to release toxins from the body. The cupping process creates a suction on the skin that draws toxins and impurities from the capillaries and interstitial tissues. So cupping therapy helps to clear out the toxins and congestion that can cause pain and inflammation.
Cupping therapy increases blood flow
Cupping therapy breaks down and opens up the tissues that can lead to better blood flow. An initial purple mark often forms after cupping therapy, which shows that stagnant and congested blood in the area clears out, and fresh, oxygen-rich blood floods in. Improved blood circulation leads to a reduction of pain and inflammation and an overall feeling of wellness.
Cupping therapy alleviates pain
The effects of cupping therapy can penetrate deep into the muscle tissue and effectively treat both the symptoms and the root cause of many types of pain. These effects can help with all kinds of pain, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, slipped discs, sciatica, and headaches.
Cupping therapy speeds up healing
Studies suggest cupping therapy can speed up the healing process by increasing blood flow and promoting lymphatic drainage. It can help to reduce swelling and inflammation as well as promote the growth of new tissue.
Cupping therapy is a safe and natural treatment
Cupping therapy is a safe and natural treatment that does not have any adverse side effects. We administer cupping to children and adults of all ages. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or medications and is an excellent option for those looking for an alternative to conventional treatments.
Q: How does cupping therapy work?
Cupping therapy works by creating a negative pressure inside the cup against your skin. As a result, it draws blood from superficial capillaries to the surface of the skin. The negative pressure created in the cup also stimulates the skin and underlying tissues to increase local circulation, relieving pain or blockage of energy.
Q: Is cupping therapy painful?
Cupping therapy is not as painful as one would think. Most clients describe the sensation as a dull ache that dissipates after a minute. The overall experience with cupping therapy is similar to massage and acupuncture sessions–a person enters a peaceful and meditative state of mind.
Q: What are cupping therapy marks?
Cupping therapy aims to draw stagnant pathogenic factors from the skin, capillaries, and interstitial tissues to the surface. Cups create roughly 5-15mm of suction and may leave a purple circular mark that may last about 3-7 days. This mark is an indication that cupping therapy was able to draw a pathogenic factor. Interestingly, if cupping therapy is performed over the same area a few times, these purple marks will stop appearing, as the latent pathogenic factor has come out.
When it comes to cupping therapy, you can rest assured that a top NYC acupuncture practice will treat you with the most researched and time-tested techniques available. At Acupuncture NYC, we have an unwavering commitment to excellence. Our greatest reward is providing our valued patients with comfort and good clinical results. Since our inception in 2009, our acupuncture practice has maintained a history of meeting patient satisfaction. You can be sure that we are passionate about meeting all of our clients’ needs, cupping therapy included.
If you are wondering whether getting cupping therapy can help you feel better, contact us at our Midtown acupuncture office today to find out more!
By Gassan&Edmunt – Copyright © Acupuncture NYC 2021
