It is a kind of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM).

Such therapies have played an important role in human health and welfare for a very long time.

Cupping therapy involves the application of a cup on a part of the body for a few minutes to generate a partial vacuum. This improves the blood flow in that area and promotes effective healing.

Types of cupping therapy-

There are mainly two types of cupping therapies.

Dry cupping and wet cuffing

• Dry cupping is a non-invasive cupping technique without bloodletting. It acts by the diversion of morbid matter from one site to other.

• Wet cupping is invasive cupping or cupping with bloodletting.

It acts by evacuation of morbid matter from the affected area. It is also known as hijama in Arabic. Blood is drawn by local incision or small needle pricks. It was first reported in Islamic hadith.

It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad said” indeed the best of remedies you have in is hijama, and if there was something excellent to be used as a remedy is hijama. Process of using a vacuum at different points with incisions in order to remove harmful blood which lies just beneath the surface of the skin.”

Is Cupping therapy painful?

Not really. The cups are applied pretty tight but hardly cause any discomfort. Rather it provides instant relief of pain and relaxation to muscles and other tissues.

What about the marks left on the skin after cupping therapy?

The area where cups are applied show marks that resembles a bruise. This bruise-like mark is not painful and it indicates that toxins and stagnation are being pulled to the surface of the body to enhance and restore healthy blood flow to the muscle. This discoloration which is temporary may range in color from light pink to dark purple and may last anywhere between a few hours to 10 days before gradually fading away completely.

What are the benefits of cupping therapy?

Cupping therapy improves blood circulation in the area where the cups are placed. This relieves muscle tension hence relieving any kind of pain. With improved blood circulation, cell repair is promoted and the formation of new connective tissues takes place hence creating new blood vessels in the tissue.

Diseases in which cupping is used-

• Treatment of chronic urticaria and acne vulgaris(pimples)
• specific or nonspecific low back pain
• migraine and stress-associated headaches and post-therapeutic pain
• chronic nonspecific neck pain
• symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
• cervical spondylopathy
• fibromyalgia symptoms
• Treatment of shoulder Periarthritis
• Positive effect on chronic fatigue syndrome

In nutshell-

Cupping is sometimes performed along with other therapies that include Janu Basti, Kati Basti, Greeva Basti, and Viddh karma which is a kind of acupuncture treatment.

It helps in facial paralysis, acne, back pain due to disk herniation, cervical spondylosis, neck pain,  shoulder pain, and many other conditions.