What is "cupping"? Is it any different than acupuncture? Pros and cons?

Question

This is for research for my novel. Anyone had acupuncture/cupping? What's your experience like?

Answer 1

It is different then acupuncture. An ancient Chinese traditional medicine. Here is a description:

Cupping is a technique that is especially useful in the treatment of problems of local qi, or blood stagnation in the channels, and is usually performed as an alternative to acupuncture.

The cups that are used are generally of rounded glass construction. The cups are warmed via a burning taper, held for a very short period of time inside the cup. The cup is then quickly placed over the selected area.

Due to the candle flame, all of the oxygen in the cup has been removed and when placed open side down, a vacuum is created, which anchors the cup to the skin and pulls the skin upward on the inside of the glass.

The resulting pressure encourages the flow of qi and blood in the area beneath the cup, and the local stagnation begins to clear.

It is imperative that this method only be performed by licensed practitioners, and even when performed correctly, can result in marking (non permanent) and bruises.

My opinion: This is another alternative medicine treatment that has no clinical validity and lacks in independent double blind studies to verify its claims.

Pat
Lymphedema People
http://www;lymphedemapeople.com

Answer 2

I had accupuncture - it is the insertion of very slim needles into the skin at specific points to deal with specific ailments - NO, you really don't feel the needles. Sometimes the therapist uses an electrical stimulation or a heat stimulation along with the needles. My torn cartilage is fixed with no need for surgery.
Cupping is done outside the body with glass bubbles that are heated and placed on the skin. The cooling of the glass (and the air inside) creates a vacuum.

Answer 3

"cupping" i believe originated in asia somewhere, i saw on tv once where a person lies on their stomach and another person uses little round glass jars or "cups" , they apply heat to the cups from a small torch , and the hot cups are individually placed on the back and the heat from them creates a suction that pulls at the skin which is supposed to be beneficial for releasing toxins and making one feel better. It looked very interesting to me and i'd like to try it.

Answer 4

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