The rage in Hollywood is Cupping.
….And the movie stars are looking like an octopus
kissed them.
Cupping is one of the oldest methods of healing
used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
The earliest recorded use of cupping dates to the
early fourth century; one textbook included an
entire chapter on “Fire Jar Qi,” a type of cupping
that could alleviate headaches, dizziness and
abdominal pain.
Originally, practitioners would use hollowed-out
animal horns for cups, and place them over
particular points or meridians. When I lived in
Maui I went to see a healer who only used the
horn, a single edge razor blade and a candle to
create the suction needed for the treatment.
I have been using a hand pump to pull out all the air
inside the cup to create the vacuum instead of fire.
Some years ago my mother had a bad backache and
although she wasn’t really sure about all this new
Chinese work that I learned but she let me try cupping
on her. Any way I was a little nervous myself as
at that time I learned the technique but didn’t
have much practice.
I got everything ready,the cups, a candle, some
alcohol and a lighter. I did everything that I
learned, but I didn’t realize that the cups got
hot, so when I placed them on my mom’s back she
yelled, “You burnt me, you burnt your own mother”.
The next day I bought the cups with the suction
bump and eliminated fire once and for all.
The vacuum created by the lack of oxygen anchors
the cup to the skin and pulls it upward on the
inside of the glass, as the air inside the jar is
gone. Drawing up the skin is believed to open up
the skin’s pores, which helps to stimulate the
flow of blood, balances and realigns the flow of
Qi, breaks up obstructions, and creates an avenue
for toxins to be drawn out of the body.
The cups are usually left on the skin for about 5
to 10 minutes. Several cups may be placed on a
patient’s body at the same time. Sometimes I will
put some oil or medicine on the skin so I can move
the cups around to loosen up things and bring more
energy to the body.
Cupping is used to treat respiratory conditions
such as bronchitis, asthma, and congestion;
arthritis; gastrointestinal disorders; and certain
types of pain. I have also use cupping
to treat depression and reduce swelling.
Cupping is safe, if you don’t burn your
mother by mistake, it can cause some swelling and
bruising on the skin but thats normal. The spots are gone in a few days.
The skin under a cup is drawn up, the blood vessels at the surface of the
skin expand. thats why why we get circular
bruises on the areas where the cups were applied.
These bruises are painless and are a good topic of conversation
Cupping is becoming very popular these days. Stars
like Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Paris
Hilton, David Arquette, Lady Gaga and Andy Murray
they all have one thing in common – circular marks
on their back that looks an octopus was sucking on
them. Even Jennifer Aniston was seen with some
circular marks on the red carpet.
I use cupping in my office just about every day to
treat colds, coughs, asthma, back pain and pain
with great success. If you come into my office be
sure to ask for a cupping treatment along with
your acupuncture treatment.
I wish you the best in your Health, Wealth and
Happiness
Dr. Sherwood Swartz
