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 does cupping compare to other alternative therapies.

The Origins and Evolution of Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy, an ancient form of alternative medicine, has roots tracing back to Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. The Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical textbooks in existence, describes its use by ancient Egyptians as far back as 1,550 B.C. This time-honored practice has evolved over millennia, adapting to modern techniques while maintaining its core principles.

How has cupping therapy changed over time? While traditional methods utilized materials like glass, bamboo, and earthenware, modern practitioners often employ silicone cups. The fundamental technique remains consistent: creating suction on the skin to promote healing and wellness. However, contemporary approaches have introduced variations such as dry cupping, wet cupping, and even needle cupping, each with its unique methodology and purported benefits.

Understanding the Cupping Process: Methods and Techniques

Cupping therapy involves placing specialized cups on the skin to create suction. The process typically follows these steps:

1. A flammable substance (e.g., alcohol, herbs, or paper) is placed in the cup and ignited.
2. As the fire extinguishes, the cup is quickly placed upside down on the skin.
3. The cooling air inside the cup creates a vacuum, causing the skin to rise and redden.
4. The cup remains in place for up to 3 minutes.

What are the different types of cupping? The two primary methods are:

• Dry cupping: The basic technique described above.
• Wet cupping: Involves making small incisions in the skin after the initial suction and then reapplying the cup to draw out small amounts of blood.

Modern variations include the use of rubber pumps to create suction instead of fire, and silicone cups that can be moved across the skin for a massage-like effect. Some practitioners also combine cupping with acupuncture in a technique called “needle cupping.”

Potential Benefits: What Does the Research Say?

While scientific studies on cupping therapy are limited, some research suggests potential benefits for various conditions. A 2015 report in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine indicated that cupping might be helpful for:

• Acne treatment
• Herpes zoster management
• Pain relief

A 2012 review published in PLoS One examined 135 studies on cupping. The researchers concluded that cupping therapy might be effective when combined with other treatments like acupuncture or medications for conditions such as:

• Herpes zoster
• Acne
• Facial paralysis
• Cervical spondylosis

However, it’s important to note that many of these studies may have been biased, and more rigorous research is needed to confirm these findings.

Claimed Applications of Cupping Therapy

According to the British Cupping Society, practitioners use cupping therapy to address a wide range of health concerns. Some of the conditions for which cupping is purportedly beneficial include:

• Blood disorders (anemia, hemophilia)
• Rheumatic diseases (arthritis, fibromyalgia)
• Fertility and gynecological issues
• Skin problems (eczema, acne)
• High blood pressure
• Migraines
• Anxiety and depression
• Bronchial congestion (allergies, asthma)
• Varicose veins

It’s crucial to understand that while these claims are made, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of cupping for many of these conditions is limited or non-existent. Patients should approach such claims with caution and consult with medical professionals before pursuing cupping as a treatment option.

Safety Considerations and Potential Side Effects

Is cupping therapy safe? When performed by a trained health professional, cupping is generally considered safe. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential side effects to be aware of. These may include:

• Mild discomfort
• Burns
• Bruises
• Skin infections

In rare cases, if proper sterilization procedures are not followed, there is a risk of transmitting bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis B and C. This risk is particularly relevant in wet cupping procedures where the skin is broken.

To minimize risks, it’s crucial to choose a reputable practitioner who follows strict hygiene protocols. Patients should also disclose their full medical history and any ongoing treatments to ensure cupping is appropriate for their individual circumstances.

Cupping in the Context of Holistic Health Approaches

How does cupping fit into a broader health and wellness strategy? Cupping therapy is often used as part of a holistic approach to health, frequently in conjunction with other alternative or complementary therapies. Some practitioners integrate cupping with:

• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
• Herbal medicine
• Dietary adjustments

Proponents of cupping believe it can enhance overall well-being by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and promoting relaxation. However, it’s important to view cupping as a complementary therapy rather than a replacement for conventional medical treatments.

When considering cupping as part of a wellness routine, individuals should take a balanced approach. This means combining alternative therapies with evidence-based medical practices and lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management techniques.

Preparing for a Cupping Session: What to Expect

If you’re considering trying cupping therapy, it’s helpful to know what to expect during a typical session. Here’s a general overview of the process:

1. Consultation: Your therapist will discuss your health history and treatment goals.
2. Preparation: You’ll be asked to expose the area to be treated and lie down comfortably.
3. Application: The therapist will apply the cups to your skin using one of the methods described earlier.
4. Duration: Cups are typically left in place for 3-5 minutes.
5. Removal: The therapist will gently remove the cups.
6. Aftercare: In the case of wet cupping, the area may be cleaned and bandaged.

How many cups are used in a typical session? For a first-time treatment, you might receive 3-5 cups. It’s rare to have more than 5-7 cups applied in a single session. The specific number will depend on your individual needs and the therapist’s assessment.

What should you do after a cupping session? It’s normal for the treated area to appear red or bruised for several days after treatment. To care for your skin post-cupping:

• Keep the area clean and dry
• Avoid extreme temperatures (hot showers, saunas, ice packs)
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 24-48 hours

If you experience any unusual symptoms or prolonged discomfort, consult your healthcare provider promptly.

Choosing a Cupping Therapist: Key Considerations

Selecting a qualified cupping therapist is crucial for both safety and efficacy. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a practitioner:

• Credentials: Look for therapists with formal training in cupping and related therapies.
• Experience: Ask about their experience with cupping, particularly for your specific condition.
• Hygiene practices: Ensure they use sterilized equipment and follow proper sanitation protocols.
• Communication: Choose a therapist who explains the procedure clearly and answers your questions thoroughly.
• References: Ask for client testimonials or references if available.

What questions should you ask a potential cupping therapist? Before scheduling a session, consider asking:

1. What conditions do you typically treat with cupping?
2. Can you describe your training and certification in cupping therapy?
3. How many cupping sessions have you performed?
4. What results can I reasonably expect from cupping?
5. Are there any reasons why cupping might not be suitable for me?
6. How do you ensure the safety and sterility of your equipment?

Remember, a reputable therapist will be open to discussing these questions and will not make exaggerated claims about the benefits of cupping.

Integrating Cupping with Conventional Medicine

How can cupping therapy complement traditional medical treatments? While cupping is considered an alternative therapy, it doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive with conventional medicine. Many patients find value in combining both approaches under the guidance of their healthcare providers. Here are some ways cupping might be integrated:

• Pain management: Cupping may be used alongside physical therapy or pain medications for chronic pain conditions.
• Stress reduction: Some patients use cupping as part of a stress management plan, which may also include counseling or medication.
• Post-surgery recovery: In some cases, cupping might be suggested to help with circulation and healing after certain surgical procedures.
• Athletic performance: Some athletes incorporate cupping into their recovery routines, alongside traditional sports medicine approaches.

It’s crucial to maintain open communication with all healthcare providers involved in your care. Inform your primary care physician about your interest in cupping, and likewise, tell your cupping therapist about any medical conditions or treatments you’re undergoing.

Can cupping interact with medications or other treatments? While direct interactions are rare, cupping may affect how your body responds to certain medications or therapies. For example:

• Blood thinners: Wet cupping may increase the risk of bleeding for those on anticoagulants.
• Skin treatments: Cupping could potentially interfere with topical medications or recent dermatological procedures.
• Recent surgeries: Cupping near surgical sites may not be recommended during the healing process.

Always consult with your doctor before starting cupping therapy, especially if you have any chronic health conditions or are currently undergoing medical treatment.

The Future of Cupping: Research and Development

What does the future hold for cupping therapy in modern medicine? As interest in integrative and complementary therapies grows, so does the need for rigorous scientific research into practices like cupping. Several areas of ongoing and potential future research include:

• Mechanism of action: Studies aim to understand precisely how cupping affects the body at a physiological level.
• Standardization: Efforts to standardize cupping techniques and protocols for different conditions.
• Comparative effectiveness: Research comparing cupping to other therapies for specific health issues.
• Long-term effects: Studies examining the long-term benefits and potential risks of regular cupping treatments.
• Integration with technology: Exploration of how modern technology can enhance cupping techniques or outcomes.

As research progresses, we may see cupping therapy evolve in several ways:

1. Increased acceptance in mainstream healthcare settings
2. Development of more sophisticated cupping devices
3. Refinement of treatment protocols for specific conditions
4. Potential inclusion in more insurance coverage plans
5. Integration with digital health platforms for tracking and optimizing treatments

While the ancient practice of cupping has stood the test of time, its future in modern medicine will likely depend on the outcomes of ongoing and future scientific investigations. As with any evolving field, patients and practitioners alike should stay informed about the latest research and developments in cupping therapy.

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.