For fibromyalgia sufferers, there are medical treatments as well as alternative therapies that can be considered. One type of alternative therapy that has been shown to work for this condition is an ancient Chinese healing art known as Cupping Therapy.
Because of the many side effects that can be experienced from taking conventional medications, more and more people are turning to natural alternative treatments to help cure, relieve or manage their health problems. The same applies to fibromyalgia sufferers. Most alternative therapies do not have the nasty side effects that a lot of Western allopathic drugs do. However, not all alternative treatment modalities are legitimate since there are a lot of hokey alternative therapies out there as well. So, let’s talk about the things you need to know about cupping therapy to understand why it can be an appropriate choice for you.
What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is one component of an age-old Oriental healing system known as traditional Chinese medicine. It originated in China more than 2,500 years ago and is a form of treatment designed to help boost blood flow, alleviate pain, and rid the body of toxins through the application of glass cups on the skin. For most Westerners, this may sound a little weird but this was also their reaction when acupuncture was first introduced in America. In cupping therapy, each glass is set on different parts of your body. The air inside the cups is sucked out by a vacuum device and the cups are then quickly placed on the body where they remain in place for about 15 minutes.
Practitioners may choose one of two different methods of cupping. One method is called stationary cupping in which, during the session, the glass cups are left untouched and not moved. The other cupping method is called massage cupping and in this procedure, the glass cups are moved in a massage like motion around the skin. This type of massage is commonly used to relieve sore muscles and joints.
The materials used in cupping therapy include matches, candles, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, and of course, glass cups.
A Typical Cupping Therapy Procedure
This is a step-by-step description of a typical cupping procedure. First, the practitioner soaks a cotton ball in alcohol and use a match to light the ball up. The flaming cotton ball is held inside the cup and the heat creates a vacuum. The cotton is then removed and the cup is immediately placed on the part of the body targeted for treatment. The vacuum effect in the cup draws the skin into the cup. The cups are then left on the patient’s body for 15 minutes or less. Normally, four or five cups are used in the treatment. But for severe problems, sometimes up to six cups are used.
The treatment may seem painful and sound a little bizarre. But, the fact is, the patient merely experiences a light sucking sensation on the site where the cup is applied during treatment. Later on, he may have little red rings on his skin but they do fade quickly.
Cupping can be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia. Sufferers may experience a significant change in their condition. The treatment can help them feel calm and relaxed and most importantly, help relieve their aches and pain in a huge way. It can release toxins from the body and quicken the healing time of injured joints and muscles. Patients may also experience greater flexibility in their muscles. The pain for the trigger points is significantly reduced and if you suffer from depression and anxiety, the treatment can also help overcome them.
Cupping therapy for fibromyalgia should only be performed by a qualified practitioner. You should not try this yourself at home. You need to visit a holistic treatment center or search for a qualified practitioner or massage therapist. The treatment can definitely provide great benefits that can lead to the healing of fibromyalgia symptoms.