Discover Traditional Chinese Medicine: Cupping and Fire Cupping – Ancient Remedies for Modern Wellness
Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of the oldest comprehensive systems of medicine. Well known for its holistic approach to health and longevity with an emphasis on balance, movement and flow of emotions and energy, and interconnectedness throughout all major body systems. One of the most well known practices of TCM is cupping. This practice— revered for its ability to relieve pain, draw out toxins, and open up the fascial network has gained worldwide popularity in both Eastern and Western health practices.
In this blog, we will explore the principles of TCM cupping, as well as the variation known as fire cupping, and how it can help you.
What is Cupping in Traditional Chinese Medicine?
The practice places specialized cups on the skin to create suction and draw heat upwards to the surface. TCM theory believes that this suction will in fact stimulate the flow of Qi, improve circulation of blood and remove stagnation.
Practice of Fire Cupping
In fire cupping, rather than pumping to create a vacuum, the practitioner briefly ignites a flame inside of the cup before applying it to the skin. With the extinguishing flame gone, the cooling air inside the cup creates a vacuum that causes the cup to cling to the skin. Heat from the fire will further heighten the effects of penetration into tissue for relaxation and increased blood flow.
It can be said that it is very effective in dealing with problems such as pain and tension in the muscles as well as restrictions within the fascial network. Fire cupping creates warmth, which helps to relax tense muscles, reduce stiffness, and relieve tension in the shoulder, back, and neck regions.
The technique aids with afflictions of the lung. Traditionally, the technique has been used for diseases that affect the lungs, such as bronchitis, asthma, and a simple cold. This is brought about by the suction, which makes blood flow better and allows the toxins to drain and aids the body with expectoration of phlegm or mucus.
Circulation and draining the lymphatic system: The heat and suction of fire cupping allow for better circulation, which the body uses to throw off its waste and convey all it needs to tissues and organs via its blood and lymphatic systems.
How is Fire Cupping Different from Traditional Cupping?
While the underlying premises are the same in both forms of cupping–the creation of a negative pressure to encourage blood and Qi to move within a body system it is found that the heat generated during fire cupping can reach deeper tissues, making it an excellent remedy for chronic pain, stiffness, or injuries. The warmth of fire cupping produces a calming effect in the nervous system, relieving those suffering from emotional pressure, anxiety, or sleeplessness.
Benefits of Cupping and Fire Cupping
The benefits include the following:
Pain relief: One of the general reasons for its popularity is the amount of pain relief that can be experienced in just one session, particularly for those experiencing back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, problems of the central nervous system, and problems affecting the kidney and digestive systems. It helps relax the muscles, and thus reduces the pain caused by both acute and chronic stressors.
Detoxification: The suction created by the cup draws toxins to the surface so that they can be flushed from the body. This detoxifying effect eliminates morbific matter and stagnated fluids from the body.
Relaxation and stress relief: Cupping, with fire particularly, stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, or the "rest and digest" function. This results in the body calming down, relaxing, and alleviating stress and improving digestion and assimilation.
It supports the immune system: This is through the activation of the immune system to better work in the body. Many TCM practitioners use it as a preventative treatment for general well-being and prevention of common cold or respiratory conditions.
Healthy skin: Enhanced blood circulation due to cupping treatment enhances the rejuvenation of skin through fresh blood and oxygen supply. This can minimize acne, cellulite, and systemic inflammation.
What to Expect at a Cupping Session
In a fire or no-fire cupping treatment, you can expect to lie on a massage table with the practitioner placing the cups on specific areas of the body. With fire cupping, you will often feel a brief warmth from the initial placement of the cups, followed by a pulling or suction sensation. The time the cups are kept on the skin usually varies between 5 to 15 minutes.
Temporary marks may still appear during a cupping session and can remain afterwards as bruises. While they may not be attractive they are not painful. When cupping therapy is performed correctly, it should not be uncomfortable. These marks can disappear in a few days or sometimes will remain on the skin for about a week or slightly longer. from a few days to a week before they disappear.
If you think you may benefit from cupping or fire cupping, ask your Zen Den practitioner and discuss with them which type of therapy will be the most helpful for you.
Exciting News: Fire cupping is coming soon to Zen Den Newport! Keep an eye out for announcements on when you'll be able to experience this powerful healing therapy firsthand.