Cupping

Cupping is an ancient therapy which was widely used in folk medicine as well as the hospitals around the world (Dr. William Marsden, the founder of the Royal Marsden Hospital, employed cupping therapy quite extensively at his “Free Hospital” in Gray’s inn Road, during the 1830s) and is still used by many complementary and alternative practitioners today.

Cupping is particularly useful in improving the circulation of Blood and Qi (energy) as well as benefiting the fluid metabolism. It is also quite effective in the removal the Cold and the excess Heat pathogens from the body. Its use in the treatment of cellulite and musculoskeletal conditions proved very successful.

Cupping involves the application of glass, rubber or bamboo cups to specific areas of the body. This is achieved by creating a vacuum inside the cup by means of a flame, which is briefly introduced into the cup and by way of manually extracting the air inside the cup. The cupping apparatus is then quickly turned on the skin and left in place for between 5-25 minutes.

There are eleven methods of cupping techniques and your practitioner will advise the best method to be used in each case. Cupping is generally very safe, but there are occasions which it is contraindicated such as; during late pregnancy, haemorrhage of any kind (except in normal monthly periods), on an empty stomach or on a full stomach, and when the person is extremely fatigued.

Cupping marks left on the skin following the treatment is quite normal and can last between 5 to 15 days before completely fading away.