Before you plan to undergo cupping therapy in Melbourne, you should first know what it is actually. Cupping therapy is ancient alternative medicine. Here, an experienced therapist uses special cups on selective parts of your body/skin for a few minutes to create suction. The reason behind cupping practice is many. It’s used for pain relief, inflammation, to improve blood flow, relaxation, and overall well-being. It is often combined with massage during deep-tissue therapy.
The cups used are generally made from:
- Bamboo
- Earthenware
- Glass
- Silicone
Types of Cupping Therapy
There are two methods of cupping:
- Dry Cupping
- Wet Cupping
How Cupping Therapy Works?
In both types, the therapist puts a combustible substance (for eg. alcohol, herbs, or paper) in a cup and set it on fire. Once the fire goes out, the therapist keeps the cup on the selected part of your skin in an upside-down position.
Just when the air inside the cup starts cooling down, a vacuum is created. This expands your blood vessels, which are often uplifted and redden due to the process. Each cup is normally left for 2-3 minutes to work effectively.
In the modern version, the therapist makes use of a rubber pump in place of fire for vacuum purposes. At times, the therapist may utilize silicone cups, which are easier to move along your skin for a massage-like effect.
During wet cupping, the therapist creates a mild suction by keeping a cup in the same place for 3 minutes or so. He then removes the cup and makes light, tiny cuts on your skin using a scalpel. Afterward, he performs a second suction to draw out a minor quantity of blood.
Post-Cupping Therapy Effects
A first session is generally accompanied by 3-5 cups. In most cases, you will not get more than 5-7 cups in a single session.
Next, the therapist might give you an antibiotic ointment and bandage to keep infection at bay. Most marks will fade away within a week or 10 days.
Benefits of Cupping Therapy
No matter if you taking cupping in Melbourne from experts or from traditional practitioners in any corner of the world, there are multiple benefits to the practice. Supporters of cupping therapy believe wet cupping is helpful in removing harmful substances and toxins out from your body to foster healing. However, there is no proven research to back this fact.
Some patients also opt for “needle cupping,” where the therapist would insert acupuncture needles on the selected part of the skin and then put suction cups over them.
Some widely-acclaimed benefits of cupping therapy are helping with:
- High blood pressure
- Blood disorders like anemia and hemophilia
- Bronchial congestion due to allergies and asthma
- Varicose veins
- Anxiety and stress
- Rheumatic diseases like arthritis and fibromyalgia
- Fertility and gynecological disorders
- Migraines
- Skin issues like eczema and acne
While there isn’t proper research to back all of that up, people across the globe believe in the power of this ancient practice. The good news is, you can now find cupping therapy in Melbourne and other regions! The practice is no longer limited to ancient tribes. All you need to do is search for experienced and reputed therapists who provide such treatments.
