Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine that consists of special cups being placed on the skin and creating a suction. The special cups used can be made out of different things, such as:
- Glass
- Bamboo
- Silicon
- Earthenware
Along with the different types of specialty cups used, there is also different types of cupping— both dry and wet.
What is the Difference Between Wet and Dry Cupping?
While wet and dry treatments consist of the same components, there is a distinct difference between the two. Both provide mild suction to the skin to, but wet cupping is when the therapist removes the cups after the set duration of time and uses a small scalpel to make light, tiny cuts to the skin. Then cups are placed back onto the skin to draw out a small quantity of blood. Dry cupping is when cups are placed on the skin and provide suction; while it doesn’t involve breaking the skin, it does pull blood vessels and having them expand. In most cases, for the first session, the number of cups that will be suctioned is around 3-5. This number may increase or stay constant depending on the body’s rate of response to the treatment.
What to Expect After Treatment
After a cupping treatment it is normal to have some discoloration on the skin due to some broken blood vessels. It takes about 10 days for the skin to go back to normal after a session. It is best to hydrate and rest after getting a cupping treatment.
Benefits of Cupping
Cupping treatments have many benefits to for the body, including:
- Reducing painful trigger points
- Improving circulation, blood and lymph circulation
- Relieve pain
- Promote mobility and range of motion
- Improves mature scars
- Decrease toxins
Cupping is a great way to reduce and relieve pain in specific areas. Cupping treatment has no age limit and can be useful for anyone experiencing discomfort.
To see if cupping treatments would be the right choice for you, contact Central New Jersey Acupuncture and Wellness.
