Cupping therapy originates in the Eastern practice of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as Islamic tradition (Hijama), and is truly an ancient form of healing. Cupping is a form of traditional therapy that involves placing cups in which the skin is suctioned them for easy blood circulation, inflammation reduction and stimulation of the natural healing process. Many new forms of cupping therapy have been discovered all these years, and every form offers different advantages. Thinking of giving cupping therapy a go?
Here, we delve into the different cupping therapy types as well as explain each of their benefits and how they differ from one another. Ultimately this guide is to educate and motivate you, on your path towards embodied wellness.
What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping is perhaps one of the most popular bodywork techniques in our time, where suction cups are applied to different areas of your skin. The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, and sedate the nervous system. Cupping therapy is utilised by practitioners for numerous common health issues- pain management, improvements in circulation and to increase of the immune system.
Types There are several types of cupping therapy, including The most popular ones are dry cupping, HIjama or wet cup ringing, fire running glass, and moving tap wineglass. Now, let me get into specifics on each of these steps.
1. Dry Cupping Therapy
However, dry cupping is a very common form of cupping therapy. Ablation – the process of using heat (radiofrequency or laser) to create scars on heart tissue; this type is a non-invasive procedure, as it does not require any incisions into the skin. One method, known as dry cupping, involves placing cups (typically glass or plastic) against the skin to create suction and lift the tissues into the cup. Cups are left on the skin for around 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the treatment location and what is recommended.
The research for dry cupping focuses on musculoskeletal pain relief, relaxation and circulation.
Who it is best for: Individuals newer to cupping therapy or those looking for a milder form of treatment
Benefits of Dry Cupping Therapy:
-
Relaxes the muscles and helps with tension.
-
Improves circulation to the treated areas.
-
Reduces pain, specifically in the back, shoulders and neck areas.
-
Enhances circulation and overall skin health.
2. Wet Cupping Therapy (Hijama)
Cupping is an ancient therapy developed in the Middle East and used for thousands of years based on traditional Islamic Medicine (TIRM) principles, that involves placing cups onto specific points directly over meridians to create suction. After the skin is slightly punctured, re-apply cups to draw a small amount of blood along with unwanted toxins and impurities.
Hijama Cupping is considered A Sunnah in The Islamic tradition because the last prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) also used this method of Treatment and counselling to His followers. Wet cupping is considered to have long-term physical health benefits along with spiritual rewards, helping the body cleanse and achieve optimal balance.
Benefits of Wet Cupping Therapy (Hijama):
- Purified blood by removing impurities and frees the body from toxins.
- Relieves chronic pain like migraines, arthritis and joint pains.
- Increases immune function through better lymphatic drainage.
- And, it reduces inflammation due to working out and helps in recovering from injuries faster.
- Helps in the enhancement of overall physical and spiritual well-being.
This is especially popular among those seeking both physical healing and a stronger religious experience which makes it distinct from Hijama. As the years go on, Hijama is rapidly becoming available in western cities such as Manchester where you can benefit from expert cupping therapy administered by professional practitioners like myself.
3. Fire Cupping Therapy
Another traditional cupping method is fire cupping therapy, which you can regularly find in Chinese medicine. This method involves the use of a lit flame to heat up the glass cups from within and place them on your skin. When the flame goes out, it cools and contracts creating suction that draws tissue between hot cup walls.
Fire cupping uses heat to stimulate the trigger points within a muscle and provides a deeper form of stimulation than dry cupping, so it is perfect for people with more severe pain or chronic complaints. According to Gregory Lee, the heat produced by cups can also have a calming effect on muscles that are sore.
Benefits of Fire Cupping Therapy
- Creates suction along with heat that allows deeper muscle relaxation.
- Offers relief in chronic pain conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia.
- Improves blood circulation and reduces inflammation.
- Aids in the recovery of deep tissue wounds and/or tight muscles.
Fire cupping might be more intense than dry cupping, but it often provides stronger treatment to help soothe sore muscles or pain relief while also aiding in better circulation.
4. Moving Cupping (Massage Cupping)
Massage Cupping: Also referred to as moving cupping, massage cupping is a style of traditional stationary dry suction static Sucks the air out of the suction cups to tightly stick them on the skin, and glides along. Before Treatment: The skin may need oil or a similar lubricant to let the cups slide over easily.
Moving cupping is especially good at loosening up muscles and helping with lymphatic drainage. This is a soft method, particularly if adjusted to the user’s own comfort level before starting, and therefore low risk for most users.
Benefits of Moving Cupping Therapy:
- Creates a massaging pressure that enhances circulation.
- Decreases Muscle Tension & Increases Relaxation.
- Favour lymphatic drainage removes toxins from our organism.
- May be best for treating greater surface areas of the body such as the back or legs.
When it comes to moving cupping, people generally use such techniques as they would like a livelier experience during the session. A good option for people who work long hours and suffer from tension, anxiety or pain in the muscles.
5. Facial Cupping
This is a facial version of cupping therapy that has been tailored for your face skin. Facial cupping, unlike traditional cupping, uses smaller cups with a lighter suction. It aims to improve blood flow in the face, stimulate collagen growth and decrease fine lines or wrinkles.
Another great thing about this mild form of cupping is that it also works towards reducing puffiness, tightening your skin and obviously helping in enhancing the overall facial features. This is a non-invasive, all-natural method of maximizing the healthy appearance and beauty of your skin.
Benefits of Facial Cupping:
- It Boosts Blood Circulation and the Production of Collagen.
- Diminishes Fine Lines, Wrinkles and Puffiness
- Improves skin tone and luminosity
- Aids in reducing toxins and swelling by promoting lymphatic drainage.
6. Flash Cupping
Flash cupping is when a series of up to 7 cups are placed and then removed from the skin at rapid speed. This type of cupping is often used to help stimulate circulation and energy flow through the release of stagnation, or muscle knots (blockages). This type of practice is something that you will often find in order to increase the circulation of Qi (energy) throughout your body from Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It can help stimulate blood flow and alleviate minor muscle tension pretty rapidly, so flash cupping works well for a short-term solution.
Advantages of Flash Cupping Therapy:
- Promotes circulation and energy flow.
- Simultaneously, it offers instant relief from muscle tension & stiffness.
- It keeps your skin from getting sucked into oblivion for hours.
- Perfect for a short, palate-cleansing therapy session.
Conclusion
There are several approaches to cupping therapy that target a wide range of health needs and preferences. Whether you are looking to be relieved of chronic pain, detoxify your body or improve circulation — there is a type for all that will meet your goals. While we are on different types of cupping Therapy, let us mention that it is not only the traditional wet cupping (Hijama) that carries health benefits but rather a whole wide range of methods for various conditions and needs such as facial cupping.
If so, come to us here at Sunnah Solutions for the very best cupping therapy in Bahrain! Our certified practitioners specialize in a variety of different cupping therapies, like Hijama to restore your health and wellness. If you are new to cupping or just need continued care, our experts will help you on your road to recovery.
FAQs About Types of Cupping Therapy
-
What is the Difference between dry cupping and wet cup?
The common types of cupping are dry and wet, the basic difference lies in creating suction only or making incisions for releasing blood (wet cupping – Hijama). -
Is cupping therapy painful?
Cupping therapy is usually painless, although you may feel a gentle tugging of your skin during the process. -
Is cupping therapy safe for specific medical conditions?
Make sure to get professional medical advice first before trying cupping therapy out, especially if there are any covert health issues. -
How Many Cupping Sessions Will I Need?
Superset sessions consist of a minimum of 10 sets and are either performed for the upper or lower body; they can be part of a split workout available in batch mode on alternate days. Your practice can tell you what they recommend for you personally.Cupping After Session Expectations
After the procedure, you may experience temporary redness or bruising at the cupping sites that can last a few days.
From the different kinds of cupping therapy, you can choose an apt one that focuses on your health concern. Learn from your Sunnah Solutions about Well-being and how cupping therapy could phase into that journey of well-being.
