ALTERNATIVE THERAPY

Cupping Therapy

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.

Health benefits of cupping therapy

Soothing Pain. One of the main reasons people are use cupping is the pain relief.
Relieve cold, allergy symptoms and cough.
Promotes relaxation. In today’s chaotic and rapid world, all of us can...
Detoxifying. Having toxins inside of the body’s tissues can be result of poor circulation.

How often should cupping be done?

Cupping can be done as often as two times a week usually. If the cupping left severe red marks, most physicians will wait until the marks go away. Some patients come in for weekly cupping sessions for stress and tension, while others come as needed for lung or skin issues.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion therapy is very versatile and has been used for thousands of years throughout Asia.

To treat pain, it penetrates deeply to the affected area to provide relief.
To strengthen the smooth flow of qi and blood: Another function of moxibustion is to induce qi and blood to flow upward or downward. This helps conditions such as prolapse of the anus, prolapse of the uterus, prolonged diarrhea, etc.
Warm meridians and expel cold. It warms the qi to help relieve conditions caused by stagnant qi and blood.
Coughs and other respiratory problems. Since our coughs are much more prevalent in the winter, i.e. during the cold, moxa is really effective in moving the qi and stagnation in the lungs to clear up the nagging, hacking coughs.
Digestive symptoms. Since the heat from the Moxa stimulates the digestive system, it is effective in helping with constipation, IBS, and digestion in general.
Menstrual cramps. Moxa is really effective in relieving menstrual cramps and irregular cycles. Many common activities can cause cold to become trapped in the uterus, like wearing shorts or skirts in cooler weather. Moxa can reverse these effects.
Prevent disease and maintain general health. It can also be used preventatively to keep your immune system functioning effectively to stave off seasonal allergies and future illness.
Much more.. Moxibustion is used to treat many other conditions, and is even used to help turn breach babies when applied to a certain point.