What is cupping therapy and how does it work. What are the potential benefits and risks of cupping. How is cupping performed and what conditions can it treat. What does scientific research say about the effectiveness of cupping therapy. What should you consider before trying cupping.

The Origins and Evolution of Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. In fact, one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus, describes how ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy as far back as 1,550 B.C.

But what exactly is cupping therapy? It’s a technique where a therapist places special cups on your skin to create suction. This suction is believed to help with various health issues, including pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation, and overall well-being. It’s also used as a form of deep-tissue massage.

Types of Cupping Therapy

There are two main types of cupping therapy:

• Dry cupping
• Wet cupping

In both methods, the therapist typically uses cups made of glass, bamboo, earthenware, or silicone. The traditional method involves placing a flammable substance like alcohol, herbs, or paper in the cup and setting it on fire. As the fire goes out, the cup is quickly placed upside down on the skin. The cooling air inside creates a vacuum, causing the skin to rise and redden as blood vessels expand.

A more modern approach uses a rubber pump to create the vacuum, eliminating the need for fire. Silicone cups are sometimes used, allowing the therapist to move them across the skin for a massage-like effect.

The Cupping Process: What to Expect During a Session

How long does a typical cupping session last? Generally, each cup is left in place for up to 3 minutes. In your first session, you might receive 3-5 cups, though it’s rare to get more than 5-7 cups in a single treatment, according to the British Cupping Society.

Wet cupping involves an additional step. After the initial suction, the therapist removes the cup and makes small, light cuts on the skin. A second suction is then performed to draw out a small amount of blood. Following the treatment, an antibiotic ointment and bandage may be applied to prevent infection.

Some practitioners also offer “needle cupping,” where acupuncture needles are inserted before the cups are placed.

Post-Treatment Care and Recovery

After a cupping session, how long does it take for the skin to return to normal? Typically, your skin should look normal again within 10 days. However, it’s important to follow any aftercare instructions provided by your therapist to ensure proper healing and prevent complications.

Potential Benefits of Cupping Therapy: Separating Fact from Fiction

What conditions can cupping therapy potentially treat? Proponents of cupping therapy claim it can help with a wide range of health issues. The British Cupping Society suggests that cupping may be beneficial for:

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

However, it’s crucial to note that many of these claims lack robust scientific evidence. While anecdotal reports suggest potential benefits, more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of cupping for these conditions.

Scientific Evidence: What Does Research Say About Cupping Therapy?

Is there scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of cupping therapy? While cupping has been practiced for centuries, scientific research on its efficacy is still limited. However, some studies have shown promising results.

A 2015 report published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine suggested that cupping might be beneficial for treating acne, herpes zoster, and managing pain. Similarly, a 2012 review published in PLoS One analyzed 135 studies on cupping. The researchers concluded that cupping therapy might be effective when combined with other treatments like acupuncture or medications for various conditions, including:

• Herpes zoster
• Acne
• Facial paralysis
• Cervical spondylosis

However, the researchers also noted that many of the studies they reviewed could have been biased, emphasizing the need for more rigorous scientific investigations.

The Challenge of Studying Cupping Therapy

Why is it challenging to study the effectiveness of cupping therapy? One of the main difficulties in researching cupping therapy is the lack of standardization in treatment protocols. Different practitioners may use varying techniques, cup sizes, and treatment durations, making it hard to compare results across studies. Additionally, creating a proper placebo control for cupping studies can be challenging, as the physical sensation of cupping is difficult to mimic without actually performing the procedure.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Cupping Therapy

While cupping therapy is generally considered safe when performed by a trained professional, it’s not without potential risks and side effects. What are the possible adverse effects of cupping therapy?

Common side effects in the area where the cups touch your skin may include:

• Mild discomfort
• Burns
• Bruises
• Skin infections

In rare cases, more serious complications can occur. If the cups and equipment are not properly sterilized between patients, there’s a risk of spreading bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis B and C.

Who Should Avoid Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy may not be suitable for everyone. People with certain health conditions should avoid or use caution when considering cupping therapy. These include:

• Individuals with bleeding disorders or who are taking blood-thinning medications
• People with skin conditions or open wounds in the area to be treated
• Pregnant women, especially in the abdominal area
• Those with a history of stroke or seizures
• Individuals with severe chronic diseases

Always consult with your healthcare provider before trying cupping therapy, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

Choosing a Cupping Therapist: What to Look For

If you’re considering trying cupping therapy, it’s crucial to choose a qualified and experienced practitioner. How can you find a reputable cupping therapist?

1. Look for certifications: Choose a therapist who has received proper training and certification in cupping therapy.
2. Check experience: Ask about the therapist’s experience with cupping and their familiarity with treating your specific condition.
3. Read reviews: Look for testimonials or reviews from previous clients to gauge their satisfaction with the therapist’s services.
4. Inquire about hygiene practices: Ensure the therapist follows strict sterilization procedures to prevent the spread of infections.
5. Discuss your health history: A reputable therapist should take a thorough health history and discuss any potential risks or contraindications before beginning treatment.

Questions to Ask Your Cupping Therapist

Before undergoing cupping therapy, what questions should you ask your therapist? Here are some important inquiries to make:

• What conditions do you typically use cupping for?
• What is your training and experience in cupping therapy?
• How many sessions do you recommend for my condition?
• What type of cupping do you use (dry, wet, or both)?
• What are the potential side effects I should be aware of?
• How should I prepare for my cupping session?
• What aftercare instructions should I follow?

Integrating Cupping Therapy with Conventional Medicine

How can cupping therapy be integrated with conventional medical treatments? While cupping is considered an alternative therapy, it doesn’t have to be used in isolation. Many practitioners and patients find that cupping can complement conventional medical treatments.

For example, cupping might be used alongside physical therapy for musculoskeletal pain or in conjunction with dermatological treatments for certain skin conditions. However, it’s crucial to maintain open communication between your cupping therapist and your primary healthcare provider to ensure all treatments work synergistically and don’t interfere with each other.

The Importance of Informed Decision-Making

Before deciding to try cupping therapy, it’s essential to gather as much information as possible and make an informed decision. This includes:

• Understanding the potential benefits and risks
• Considering the scientific evidence (or lack thereof) for your specific condition
• Discussing the therapy with your primary healthcare provider
• Ensuring you’re comfortable with the practitioner and their methods
• Being aware of any potential interactions with your current medications or treatments

Remember, while cupping therapy has a long history and many proponents, it’s not a substitute for proven medical treatments. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new therapy, including cupping.

The Future of Cupping Therapy: Trends and Research Directions

What does the future hold for cupping therapy? As interest in alternative and complementary therapies continues to grow, cupping therapy is likely to receive more attention from both the public and the scientific community.

Several trends and research directions are emerging in the field of cupping therapy:

1. Standardization of techniques: Efforts are being made to standardize cupping procedures to facilitate more rigorous scientific studies.
2. Mechanism of action: Researchers are investigating the physiological mechanisms behind cupping’s potential effects, such as its impact on blood flow and inflammation.
3. Combination therapies: Studies are exploring how cupping can be effectively combined with other therapies, both alternative and conventional.
4. Specific conditions: More focused research is being conducted on cupping’s effectiveness for specific health conditions, particularly chronic pain and skin disorders.
5. Technology integration: New technologies are being developed to enhance cupping therapy, such as smart cups that can measure suction pressure and duration.

The Role of Patient Feedback and Real-World Evidence

How can patient experiences contribute to our understanding of cupping therapy? While controlled scientific studies are crucial, real-world evidence and patient feedback also play an important role in evaluating the effectiveness of cupping therapy. Many practitioners are now systematically collecting patient-reported outcomes to better understand the benefits and limitations of cupping in clinical practice.

This real-world data, when combined with rigorous scientific research, can provide a more comprehensive picture of cupping therapy’s potential role in modern healthcare.

As research continues and our understanding of cupping therapy evolves, it’s likely that this ancient practice will continue to find its place in the landscape of modern medicine, potentially offering new options for those seeking alternative or complementary approaches to health and wellness.

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?

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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.