What is cupping therapy and how does it work. What are the potential benefits of cupping therapy. Are there any risks or side effects associated with cupping. How long has cupping therapy been practiced. What conditions can cupping therapy potentially help treat. What does the research say about the effectiveness of cupping therapy. How to find a qualified cupping therapist.

The Ancient Origins and Modern Revival of Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is an ancient alternative medicine practice that has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years. But what exactly is cupping therapy and where did it originate?

Cupping therapy involves placing special cups on the skin to create suction. This suction is believed to promote healing and provide various health benefits. While it may seem trendy now, cupping actually dates back thousands of years.

The practice has roots in ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. In fact, one of the oldest known medical texts in the world, the Ebers Papyrus from 1,550 B.C., describes how the ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy. This illustrates just how long humans have been experimenting with this technique.

How is cupping therapy performed?

There are two main types of cupping therapy:

• Dry cupping
• Wet cupping

In both methods, the therapist places cups on the skin. Traditionally, the cups were made of materials like glass, bamboo, or earthenware. Today, silicone cups are also commonly used.

To create suction, the therapist may use fire or a more modern pump method:

1. Fire method: A flammable substance like alcohol is lit inside the cup. As the fire goes out, the cup is quickly placed on the skin. The cooling air inside creates a vacuum effect.
2. Pump method: A rubber pump manually creates suction after the cup is placed on the skin.

The cups are typically left in place for up to 3 minutes. This causes the skin to rise and redden as blood vessels expand under the suction.

Wet cupping involves an extra step of making small incisions in the skin after the initial suction. A second round of suction then draws out a small amount of blood. Proponents believe this helps remove toxins from the body.

Potential Benefits and Uses of Cupping Therapy

What conditions is cupping therapy used to treat? While scientific evidence is still limited, proponents claim cupping may help with a wide range of health issues:

• Pain management
• Inflammation reduction
• Improved blood flow
• Relaxation and stress relief
• Skin conditions like acne and eczema
• Respiratory issues like allergies and asthma
• Digestive problems
• High blood pressure
• Migraines and headaches
• Anxiety and depression

Some practitioners also use cupping as a form of deep tissue massage, moving silicone cups along the skin to target muscle tension.

What does the research say about cupping therapy?

While anecdotal evidence abounds, scientific research on cupping therapy is still somewhat limited. However, some studies have shown promising results:

• A 2015 review published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found potential benefits for acne, herpes zoster, and pain management.
• A 2012 review in PLoS One examined 135 studies and concluded cupping may be effective for various conditions when combined with other treatments like acupuncture or medication.

However, researchers note that many existing studies have limitations and potential bias. More rigorous research is needed to fully understand the effects and optimal uses of cupping therapy.

The Science Behind Cupping: How Does It Work?

While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, several theories attempt to explain how cupping therapy may provide health benefits:

Improved blood flow and oxygenation

The suction from cupping is thought to increase blood flow to the treated area. This may help:

• Deliver more oxygen and nutrients to tissues
• Remove metabolic waste and toxins
• Promote healing of injuries or damaged tissues

Stimulation of the nervous system

Cupping may activate the nervous system, potentially leading to:

• Pain relief through the release of endorphins
• Relaxation of tense muscles
• Regulation of the autonomic nervous system

Immune system modulation

Some researchers believe cupping may influence the immune system by:

• Stimulating the production of white blood cells
• Enhancing the body’s ability to fight infections
• Reducing inflammation

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Cupping Therapy

While cupping therapy is generally considered safe when performed by a trained professional, there are some potential risks and side effects to be aware of:

Common side effects

• Mild discomfort during treatment
• Bruising or skin discoloration at the treatment site
• Skin irritation or burns (if fire cupping is not performed correctly)

Rare but serious risks

• Skin infections
• Scarring
• Transmission of bloodborne diseases (if equipment is not properly sterilized between patients)

It’s important to note that certain individuals may be at higher risk for complications. Cupping therapy may not be suitable for people with:

• Bleeding disorders
• Blood clotting issues
• Skin conditions or open wounds in the treatment area
• Certain types of cancer
• Pregnancy (in some cases)

Finding a Qualified Cupping Therapist

If you’re interested in trying cupping therapy, it’s crucial to find a qualified practitioner. Here are some tips for choosing a reputable cupping therapist:

Check credentials and training

Look for a therapist who has received proper training in cupping techniques. This may include:

• Licensed acupuncturists
• Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners
• Massage therapists with specialized cupping certification

Ask about experience

Inquire about the therapist’s experience with cupping therapy, particularly for your specific condition or concern.

Discuss hygiene practices

Ensure the therapist follows proper sterilization and hygiene protocols to prevent the risk of infection.

Communicate openly

Be sure to discuss your medical history, any concerns, and treatment goals with your therapist before beginning cupping therapy.

Integrating Cupping Therapy into Your Wellness Routine

If you’re considering adding cupping therapy to your wellness regimen, here are some tips for getting the most out of your treatments:

Consult your doctor

Always speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new alternative therapy, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medications.

Start slowly

Begin with a single session to see how your body responds. Most practitioners recommend starting with 3-5 cups in your first treatment.

Be consistent

For chronic conditions, you may need multiple sessions to see significant results. Work with your therapist to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Combine with other therapies

Cupping may be most effective when used in conjunction with other treatments like acupuncture, massage, or conventional medical care.

Listen to your body

Pay attention to how you feel after treatments and communicate any concerns or side effects to your therapist.

The Future of Cupping Therapy: Research and Innovations

As interest in cupping therapy continues to grow, researchers are working to better understand its effects and potential applications. What does the future hold for this ancient practice?

Ongoing clinical trials

Several clinical trials are currently underway to investigate the efficacy of cupping for various conditions, including:

• Chronic pain management
• Sports performance and recovery
• Mental health disorders
• Autoimmune diseases

Technological advancements

New technologies are being developed to enhance cupping therapy, such as:

• Smart cupping devices with precise pressure control
• Combination therapies integrating cupping with other modalities
• Non-invasive monitoring tools to measure physiological responses during treatment

Standardization efforts

As cupping therapy gains mainstream acceptance, there are increasing efforts to standardize:

• Training and certification programs for practitioners
• Treatment protocols for specific conditions
• Safety guidelines and best practices

These developments may help establish cupping therapy as a more widely recognized and evidence-based complementary treatment option in the coming years.

Cupping Therapy Around the World: Cultural Variations and Practices

While cupping therapy has ancient roots, its practice and application vary across different cultures and regions. Let’s explore some of these variations:

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

In TCM, cupping is often used in conjunction with acupuncture and herbal medicine. It’s believed to balance the flow of qi (life force energy) and remove stagnation. Different cup placements correspond to specific meridians and organs in the body.

Middle Eastern Hijama

Hijama, or wet cupping, is practiced in many Islamic countries. It’s often performed on specific days of the lunar calendar and is believed to have both physical and spiritual benefits.

Eastern European Traditions

In countries like Russia and Poland, cupping has long been used as a home remedy for colds, flu, and respiratory issues. Glass cups are commonly used, and treatments often involve applying cups to the back and chest.

Modern Western Adaptations

In recent years, cupping has gained popularity in Western countries, particularly among athletes and celebrities. This has led to new applications and techniques, such as “moving cupping” for massage-like effects and the use of silicone cups for easier application.

Understanding these cultural variations can provide insight into the diverse ways cupping therapy has been utilized and adapted throughout history and across different societies.

What Is Cupping Therapy? Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and More

Written by Rick Ansorge

• Types
• What Does the Research Show?
• Side Effects
• What to Ask Your Doctor First

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.

The cups may be made of:

• Glass
• Bamboo
• Earthenware
• Silicone

Cupping therapy might be trendy now, but it’s not new. It dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. One of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus, describes how the ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy in 1,550 B.C.

There are different methods of cupping, including:

• Dry
• Wet

During both types of cupping, your therapist will put a flammable substance such as alcohol, herbs, or paper in a cup and set it on fire. As the fire goes out, they put the cup upside down on your skin.

As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a vacuum. This causes your skin to rise and redden as your blood vessels expand. The cup is generally left in place for up to 3 minutes.

A more modern version of cupping uses a rubber pump instead of fire to create the vacuum inside the cup. Sometimes therapists use silicone cups, which they can move from place to place on your skin for a massage-like effect.

Wet cupping creates a mild suction by leaving a cup in place for about 3 minutes. The therapist then removes the cup and uses a small scalpel to make light, tiny cuts on your skin. Next, they do a second suction to draw out a small quantity of blood.

You might get 3-5 cups in your first session. Or you might just try one to see how it goes. It’s rare to get more than 5-7 cups, the British Cupping Society notes.

Afterward, you may get an antibiotic ointment and bandage to prevent infection. Your skin should look normal again within 10 days.

Cupping therapy supporters believe that wet cupping removes harmful substances and toxins from the body to promote healing. But that’s not proven.

Some people also get “needle cupping,” in which the therapist first inserts acupuncture needles and then puts cups over them.

There haven’t been many scientific studies on cupping.

One report, published in 2015 in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, notes that it could help with acne, herpes zoster, and pain management.

That’s similar to the findings from a 2012 report, published in PLoS One. Australian and Chinese researchers reviewed 135 studies on cupping. They concluded that cupping therapy may be effective when people also get other treatments, like acupuncture or medications, for various diseases and conditions, such as:

• Herpes zoster
• Acne
• Facial paralysis
• Cervical spondylosis

But those researchers noted many of the studies they reviewed could have been biased and that better studies are needed.

The British Cupping Society says that cupping therapy is used to treat:

• Blood disorders such as anemia and hemophilia
• Rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia
• Fertility and gynecological disorders
• Skin problems such as eczema and acne
• High blood pressure
• Migraines
• Anxiety and depression
• Bronchial congestion caused by allergies and asthma
• Varicose veins

There isn’t research to back all of that up.

Cupping is fairly safe, as long as you go to a trained health professional. But you could have these side effects in the area where the cups touch your skin:

• Mild discomfort
• Burns
• Bruises
• Skin infection

If the cups and equipment become contaminated with blood and are not sterilized correctly between patients, bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis B and C can be spread.

Talk with your doctor before you start cupping or any other type of alternative or complementary medicine. And talk extensively with your cupping therapist, too, before you try it. Ask:

• What conditions do they use cupping for?
• What is your training?
• What is your experience in using it?
• Am I already getting the standard treatments for my condition?
• Are there reasons I should not get cupping?

Top Picks

Fatigue Is Dangerous: Understand the Harmful Effects and Learn How to Manage Your Exhaustion

• Fatigue can be described as a state of exhaustion, which often results from overworking yourself mentally or physically.
• Large amounts of stress and anxiety that aren’t properly handled, as well as feeling bored or stuck, can lead to your feeling fatigued.
• Fatigue can have some pretty harmful effects from reduced concentration to irritability, reckless risk-taking, poor work quality, and even falling asleep behind the wheel.
• The aforementioned side effects signify the importance of recognizing fatigue and doing what you can to manage it.
• To properly manage your fatigue you should identify its source, get proper rest, engage in stress-relieving activities, and prioritize your overall health.

*Anna Lexi is a health enthusiast and blogger. She hopes to inform her readers of health concerns that they may not be aware of and provide solutions to help them. When she isn’t writing about health she can be found running.

Fatigue, or the state of feeling extremely tired, stems from several possible causes. The most direct causes of fatigue are lack of proper sleep and being either mentally or physically overworked. Other possible causes are prolonged periods of stress and anxiety, as well as being stuck in boring and/or repetitive tasks.

Being a workaholic is another definitive way to eventually suffer from regular bouts of fatigue. That’s why it’s important to slow down and remember to get sufficient rest, as a way to combat workaholism and the fatigue that can result. Because while being addicted to work might translate to some productivity-related benefits, there’s a huge chance that this will result in some form of chronic fatigue in the long run, which will ultimately harm your productivity.

Understanding the Harmful Effects of Fatigue

Apart from exhaustion or excessive sleepiness (including microsleeping), fatigue may also manifest as…

• Reduced concentration
• Impaired memory
• Irritability
• Depression
• Lack of motivation
• Headaches
• Lack of appetite
• Digestive problems
• Impaired resistance to illness or disease
• Reckless risk-taking

In short, untreated fatigue can reduce a worker’s ability to make sound decisions, communicate with others, or maintain focus and attention on the tasks at hand. Ultimately, this may result in more worker errors, absenteeism, and sick leaves. Certain accidents or unfortunate incidents, particularly in the heavy duty industries, can also be traced back to fatigue. If this work environment sounds familiar to you it is important to see a doctor, and find ways to stay alert and safe.

Irreversible Ramifications on the Road

Additionally, research via the CCOHS reveals that fatigue has an even deadlier effect on the road. The perception impairment that’s associated with a lack of sleep is directly comparable with the same impairment that’s associated with blood alcohol levels. Being awake for 21 hours straight for instance could impair your senses as much as having a blood alcohol level of 0.08%, which is the legal limit for driving while intoxicated in most US states.

This is the reason why the government brought in the ELD Mandate. It’s a new law that now requires all heavy trucks to install Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that record hours of service in order to prevent over-driving on our roads and highways. Verizon Connect details how ELDs provide automated timesheets that allow fleet operators to know exactly when their employees start work, take breaks, and stop working for the day. This allows the trucking industry to ensure that not a single truck on the road is being operated by a fatigued driver, thereby increasing road safety on a national level.

Don’t Waste Any More Time: Manage Chronic Fatigue

The only way to manage or eliminate chronic fatigue is to deal with its main sources: over-work, stress, lack of sleep, unsatisfying work conditions, or any combination of these factors. The good news is that this can be done in a number of ways. Talk to your company to see if they offer health benefits like gym or yoga memberships to employees. The benefits of moderate to strenuous exercise in improving sleep patterns are well-documented. Meanwhile, in the diet department, consult a nutritionist to ensure that you’re eating healthy. Whatever you put in your body definitely factors into how well you can process stress and other sources of fatigue.

If these methods don’t work for you, it’s time to talk to a professional. Ask your doctor, nutritionist, or physical trainer about lifestyle changes that can help manage chronic fatigue and its symptoms.

What is chronic fatigue and how it manifests itself

Survival instructions

Dmitry Kozachenko

July 19, 2017 16:34

Together with neurologist Dmitry Ivanov “Afisha Daily”
understands what overwork is, what chronic fatigue can lead to and why it is more serious than we think.

What is overwork

Overwork occurs due to a long lack of rest. In the International Classification of Diseases, overwork is described as “a state of exhaustion of vitality.”

Overwork can be physical and mental. With physical overwork in the muscles, there is a deficiency of the actin substance myosin, which is necessary for the contraction of muscle fibers. In addition, lactic acid accumulates, which causes pain. All this does not allow the muscles to contract in the truest sense of the word. In this case, rest will help.

The cause of mental fatigue can be a combination of high intellectual and emotional stress with a low level of physical activity – this is especially true for residents of megacities. Mental overwork is much more dangerous than physical overwork. During serious intellectual stress, stress hormones accumulate, the purpose of which is to increase the heart rate and increase blood pressure. Stress hormones should only be produced during times of stress, but when overtired, they are constantly produced and accumulated. Because of the accumulated stress, a person begins to get sick.

What is chronic fatigue syndrome

Overwork can develop into chronic fatigue syndrome. If, with overwork, a person can go on vacation for two weeks and feel better after it, then the fatigue syndrome is not eliminated even after a long rest.

There is no such thing as chronic physical fatigue: today we unloaded three wagons of coal, but tomorrow we simply won’t be able to unload the same amount, so we’ll rest. Chronic fatigue is the result of mental fatigue. Mental activity can be stimulated – for example, coffee and energy drinks, and this aggravates the condition.

Why it’s dangerous

Chronic fatigue syndrome can cause depression, bipolar disorder, an increase in infectious diseases and allergic reactions, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract with exacerbation of existing diseases. The nervous system occupies a dominant position in the body, so an imbalance can occur in any organ, and this will manifest itself in a complex way. The diagnosis is not always determined immediately: chronic fatigue has common features with a number of other diseases, including cancer.

5 signs that you have chronic fatigue

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease that a doctor must diagnose in order to prescribe treatment. Unfortunately, many symptoms of chronic fatigue go unnoticed because people usually do not realize the danger of overwork or cannot break out of their usual rhythm of life. But there are several common signs, upon detection of which it is necessary to contact a neurologist.

Your productivity has halved.

You used to be able to easily make ten reports a day, but now you can hardly get five. After a meeting with colleagues, you feel killed, and the next two days you come to your senses. You began to notice that you were losing your concentration: you had to check several times what was previously done on the machine. Until recently, you could easily cook dinner after work, go to an exhibition, and then walk your dog, but now even the way home is given as climbing Everest.

Your muscles and joints hurt, and not from playing sports

You catch up with a departing bus and then your body hurts like you’ve run a half marathon. You are especially concerned about pain in large joints: knee, elbow, hip. “Flying” pains are very characteristic: today one knee hurts, tomorrow – elbows, the day after tomorrow – the other knee, and so constantly. You went to the doctor, performed x-rays and computed tomography of the joints: the results indicate the absence of pathology, but any movement still causes pain.

Also a headache

Everyone can have a headache, but for the last six months you have had it almost every day. The nature of the pain has changed: it has become pulsating, and at certain points there is a feeling as if this place had been hit with a hammer. Headache does not go away after taking drugs that previously brought relief. You stopped going to a bar with friends and even forgot about your hangover, but nothing changes.

Bad sleep has become commonplace for you

The central nervous and autonomic systems rest during sleep. The amount of sleep varies from person to person, but the general recommendation is to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep. The most important thing is to sleep at night, at night. At this time, melatonin is produced – one of the main hormones that is responsible for the daily rhythm, has anti-stress and immunostimulating effects. During the day, no matter how you cover the curtains, trying to create darkness, it will not help. Melatonin deficiency may also contribute to the development of depression.

You go to bed, but toss and turn and cannot fall asleep, and when you have to get up for work, it turns out that you have not yet fallen asleep. Or you fall asleep, but open your eyes sharply – it seems to you that you slept for a day, but in fact 30 minutes, and so on all night. Your partner complains that you twitch, flinch, or talk in your sleep. You wake up in the morning feeling very tired.

Your memory has deteriorated

You met a person, but after two minutes you do not remember his name. Forget when is the birthday of your parents, grandmother and close friends. It seems that it seems to be nothing serious, but in fact, memory impairment leads to a decrease in the quality of life. You forget simple things – this indicates that your nervous system does not have time to remember and process information. Long-term memory also suffers: you used to know how to build a table in Excel, but now you don’t remember where to enter the formula.

How to get rid of overwork and prevent chronic fatigue syndrome

– Rest – no matter how trite it may sound. You should not once again agree to overtime work and, moreover, refuse to take a vacation. You can’t work after work either.

— Go in for sports. Even a 20-minute fitness at home will help unload the brain.

— Do not self-medicate. According to the signs described above, it is impossible to make a diagnosis on your own. For example, an increase in blood pressure against the background of a headache may indicate a problem in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and not chronic fatigue. For diagnosis, a doctor’s consultation is necessary.

– In Russia, not everyone knows about chronic fatigue syndrome. Perhaps the clinic will prescribe treatment for you, but the diagnosis will be marked differently – for example, as a migraine.

— Chronic fatigue syndrome is treated on an outpatient basis or in health centers. Chronic fatigue is not treated in hospitals of neurological departments. Previously, with a diagnosis, one could go to neurosis clinics, where there were psychiatrists, psychotherapists and neurologists. Now more often people end up in a psychiatric hospital when fatigue develops into depression.

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Dmitry Ivanov

10 signs of overflows – Lifehaker

Health

August 16, 2017

Stress manifests itself in different ways, but often we do not attach importance to its symptoms. Perhaps your body is trying to tell you it’s time to rest.

1. Do you have pain in your muscles

Do you have pain in your neck or shoulders? Maybe it’s not because of too intense training or a bad pillow. When stressed and overworked, our muscles tense up and there is a sensation similar to stretching. In men, stress is most often manifested by pain in the lower back, while in women it is in the upper back.

2. You have a headache

Dull aching pain that seems to encircle the head also indicates overwork. Of course, the pills will remove it, but they will not solve the problem. Try stress-reducing exercises like meditation or yoga.

3. You are always thirsty

When we are nervous, the adrenal glands begin to produce more stress hormone, adrenal fatigue occurs. This condition affects the production of other hormones, as well as the water balance of the body. So if you often suffer from thirst, stress may be to blame.

4. You sweat a lot

Anxiety and stress also often cause excessive sweating. To avoid sweating during an important performance, try deep breathing in front of it or listen to soothing music.

5. Your hair falls out

Stress and overwork can cause not only hair loss, but also diseases such as trichotillomania – pulling out your own hair and patchy baldness – an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system begins to destroy the hair follicles. So if you have a lot of hair loss, it is better to consult a doctor.

6. You have digestive problems

Symptoms of stress are stomach cramps and constant need to go to the toilet. In addition, when you are under stress, the frequency of contractions of the stomach changes, the secretions necessary for digestion decrease, and digestion stops.

7. You often catch colds

Stress and runny nose are interconnected. Studies show that when we are stressed, we are more prone to catching a cold.

But even after a stressful period in life is over, we can easily get sick. During stress, the hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released, which keep us from feeling pain, but as soon as we relax, the body becomes more vulnerable.

8. Your jaw hurts

When we feel tense, we often unconsciously clench or grind our teeth. This happens even during sleep and leads not only to pain in the jaws, but also to damage to the teeth. Try various techniques to relieve stress, and if this does not help, dentists advise wearing mouthguards at night.