Cupping Therapy In Boston

Top Benefits Of Trying Cupping Therapy In Boston

Top Benefits Of Trying Cupping Therapy In Boston
Cupping 101
Benefits of Cupping
Cupping Therapy In Boston

The Chinese medicinal practice known as cupping is having a moment, thanks to celebs such as Olympian Michael Phelps and other athletes singing its praises. In the Boston area, it’s easy to find a multitude of clinics, particularly acupuncture practices, that offer cupping. So what exactly is cupping, and what are its health benefits?

Cupping 101

In a way, cupping is a type of bloodletting — without the bloodshed. Cupping therapy uses sterile glass or silicone cups to apply strong suction to specific areas of the body that are experiencing soreness and tension. The suction is created by heating the inside of the cup and then placing it onto the skin, which creates a vacuum. There are traditionally two types of cupping performed by practitioners: stagnant and dynamic cupping. Stagnant cupping leaves the cups on a specific part of the body for about 10 minutes, while dynamic cupping involves moving the cups across the body part (usually after an oil is applied to the skin for easier maneuverability.) Clients usually don’t find the therapy painful, and the main side effect is redness and/or purple coloring at the area of application, which can last for a few days up to a week.

Benefits of Cupping

Cupping has been compared to receiving a deep tissue massage, only in reverse. Although more studies are needed to determine its direct benefits, it’s believed that cupping reduces muscle tension and alleviates soreness, two reasons why it’s become a popular practice among athletes and celebrities. It is also believed to help draw toxins from the body as it stretches and opens up muscle tissue. This allows for a release of toxins that can accumulate from eating too much processed food or exposing one’s self to chemicals in food and skin care products. Some clients find themselves thirsty after a treatment, and drinking water helps flush the remaining waste from one’s system.

Some believe that cupping is beneficial to reducing pain and it’s often used in conjunction with acupuncture treatments as well as other holistic therapies. It’s been used to relieve back and neck pain, rheumatism, and migraines. It also enhances circulation.

Other possible benefits of cupping include a reduction in blood pressure and decreased anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia. It’s even been used to help reduce the appearance of cellulite.