Should You Try Cupping? - Health and Wellness Nashville

Regular contributor Leslie Losey writes about her experiences with ‘Cupping’, and where in Nashville you can try it for your self.

What is Cupping?
“Cupping” is a traditional Chinese healing modality that was actually developed thousands of years ago, despite some believing that it is a new concept. It was once believed that this practice was able to draw out evil and negative spirits from a person receiving the therapy. Although cupping may not release demons from your body, the practice is still widely used today by many different practitioners for many types of ailments. Many studies on cupping have shown that this practice can promote blood circulation, reduce scar tissue, reduce inflammation, relieve chronic tension and other musculoskeletal issues, promote detoxification by activating the lymphatic system, and in some cases, has been known to reduce fever. Depending on the type of practitioner you visit, you may get to choose what type of cupping therapy you will receive. There are three different types of cupping that you can get today:

Wet cupping involves a prick of a needle on a specified location before the cup is placed on the area, creating a vacuum seal around the area. Studies from the Saudi Medical Journal shows promising results of this method for people with chronic pain conditions.

Dry cupping is the most common form of cupping in the U.S. today. This method uses rubber-rimmed cups to create dry pockets of suction on a particular area of the body. Dry cupping is most commonly used to enhance blood circulation and jump-start the body’s natural healing process by creating micro-trauma to an area that needs restoration.

Dry cupping is most commonly used to enhance blood circulation and jump-start the body’s natural healing process by creating micro-trauma to an area that needs restoration.

Fire cupping is just like the other methods of cupping, but this type uses glass cups with fire around the rim to create a suction pocket. Don’t worry, though, you won’t walk away with third degree burns. These are just hot enough to create a “suction” pocket. This is the least used method in the United States due to insurance purposes, though.

So…what was it like?
As a person who is always interested in the many methods of “alternative healing”, I decided to give cupping a try. My initial reason for turning to this type of therapy was due to extreme muscle tension I was experiencing in my back and the seemingly never-ending cold I was suffering from. The process lasted about 30 minutes, and was completed using “dry” cups on the lower, middle, and upper regions of my back. My cupping experience was incredible, simply because I actually got relief.

The majority of the cupping experience was not painful, with the exception of the ‘rolling’ around my rotator cuffs. The purpose of the ‘rolling’, I was told, was to help loosen up the muscles and pull out any inflammation and tension that I had in those areas (cupping is sort of like a reverse massage, in the sense that the muscles are being pulled on rather than pushed on, so the effect is a little different than that of a traditional massage). Other than a little bit of pain during the process, I actually felt incredible the next day and the days to follow. The tension in my back had almost disappeared, and that annoying cold that I had started to finally pack its bags and leave my body for good. From a personal experience, I can definitely recommend this type of alternative healing method, because it worked for me. Other than the dark circles that were left on my back, I loved everything about cupping and would recommend it to anyone.

Other than a little bit of pain during the process, I actually felt incredible the next day and the days to follow. The tension in my back had almost disappeared, and that annoying cold that I had started to finally pack its bags and leave my body for good.

Cupping specialists I recommended in Nashville:
Health and Harmony Integrative Bodywork
Owner: Angela Qualls LMT, CTM, CCT
Cupping for: muscle tension, trauma, mental/physical stress, mind-body connection
1219 17th Ave South, Suite 1
615-943-2553

Gingko Acupuncture
Owner: Emily Davidson C.Ac, L.Ac, Dipl.OM
Cupping for: common cold, asthma, muscle injury/stiffness
2817 West End Avenue, Suite 205
615-953-9508

Ha.Lé Mind and Body
Owner: Janice Cathey
Cupping for: deep relaxation, calming the nervous system, enhancing detoxification
2200 21st Ave S, Suite 105
615-415-0242

Image courtesy of www.cuppingresource.com