That Time I Got Into A Fight With An Octopus
The Olympics provide a world stage in which athletes compete against one another to be coined the best in their particular sport. Over the years, we have heard of the lengths these athletes with go to train their body, mind, and spirit for this event. Whether it be training secrets, dietary guidelines, herbs, supplements, or routines, there has always been a keen interest in knowing what keeps these athletes at the top of their game. This past summer, the Rio Olympics grabbed the nation’s attention when Michael Phelps appeared to compete with small round dots all over his arms, shoulders, and back. NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, everyone, was covering cupping. Trainers were talking about the benefits of cupping for athletes and the nation was listening. Being a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I was surprised when cupping received so much media coverage - cupping is an amazing tool that has been used by acupuncturists to treat many symptoms for thousands of years. In fact, cupping has been around much longer than acupuncture itself- cupping is one of the oldest healing therapies known to man.
What Is Cupping?
Cupping involves the use of local suction on the skin to relieve disease. Historically hollowed animal horns were used as cups. Over time, bamboo segments replaced animal horns, and now glass and plastic cups are used. Often, cupping leaves round, red-purple, painless marks on the skin that can last anywhere from 1-7 days. When patients are worried about what their peers may think, I tell them to let their friends and family know about that one time they got into a fight with a giant octopus.
The History
Archeologists have found evidence of the oldest known use of cupping in Egypt around 3000 BC. The first recorded use of cupping therapy comes out of one of the oldest Egyptian medical text known as “Ebers Papyrus” written in 1550 BC. Translations of hieroglyphics of this text detail the use of cupping for drawing toxins out from bites and stings, for treating fever, pain, vertigo, menstrual imbalances, weakened appetite and helping to accelerate the healing crisis.
In China, archeologists have found evidence of cupping being used as early as 1000 BC. Its use was first recorded in “The Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies,” by Ge Hong, an accomplished doctor of the political officials in the courts of Imperial China. At this time, hollow animal horns were used to drain pustules. Later, during the Tang dynasty, cupping was used to treat pulmonary diseases.
Because cupping therapy crossed many borders, from Northern Africa to India, Persia, China, and Europe, many languages have a word for this ancient healing technique and many still use it to this day.
Modern Uses
In the 1950’s, the Chinese government infused the practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine into the modern medical world and began to use cupping therapy, as well as acupuncture, tuina, and herbal medicine, in hospitals. Today cupping is used for common colds and fevers, coughs, menstrual pain, headaches, infertility, asthma, digestive disorders, hypertension, stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, all kinds of pain and musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, numbness, paralysis, skin conditions, and more. Although more research needs to be done on the efficacy of cupping therapy in these diseases, many of my patients love to get cupped!
How Does It Work?
By creating a vacuum and lifting the skin, connective tissues, and muscles, cupping brings blood and lymph to a specific area, promoting more circulation and loosening soft tissue. In Chinese medicine, the meridians on our backs connect to each organ in the body. By applying cupping to specific areas, we can promote healing in those organs and body systems. For example: for a cough cupping would be preformed between T-1 and T-3 on the upper back, for digestive problems cupping would be performed between T9-T12 in the mid back, for infertility or urinary disorders cupping would be preformed between L1-S2 in the low back. In pain conditions, cupping is best utilized locally.
Are There Side-Effects?
Cupping is painless and often described as a “reverse deep tissue massage”. It has a very relaxing effect on the nervous system and leaves the body feeling loose and relaxed.
It is not uncommon for cupping to leave red-purple marks on the skin- evidence of increased blood flow to the muscles and connective tissue. These marks are not painful and should not last for more than 1-7 days, depending on the individual. These marks can be used as diagnostic evidence. Oftentimes after cupping, if an area appears especially bright and purple, I will massage that area- finding exactly where the patient's pain is stemming from. Other times, the whole back will present with bright purple spots, telling me there is systemic inflammation and toxicity. If only the upper back turns purple, and there is no pain in that area, I am made aware of some sort of lung or heart concern - the patient may be a smoker, or have asthma, chest pain or hypertension.
To experience cupping for yourself, come on in to the Healing Hut. If you are hesitant to try acupuncture, cupping may be a perfect way to experience the healing effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Resources:
Bae, Hyoun. "Cupping Demystified." : Blue Beryl Blog. Bae Acupuncture, 12 Aug. 2016. Web. 11 Sept. 2016.
Dharmananda, Subhuti. "Cupping." Http://www.itmonline.org/arts/cupping.htm. Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon, n.d. Web.
"The History of Chinese Medicine Cupping." ACOS. Academy of Classical Oriental Studies, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2016.
"The History of Cupping Therapy." Morgan Massage. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2016.
