Benefits of Cupping therapy
Benefits of Cupping therapy
Before listing the benefits of cupping therapy, it is important to first look at the skin and its relation to
the internal organs, the lymphatic and the immune system.
Skin
Any topical stimulus destined to influence and manipulate internal or external organs must start at the
skin level. The skin is our largest organ, containing fluid, blood, blood vessels, connective tissue, muscles
and a rich nerve supply. Our body’s first direct contact with the outside world is through the skin. It is also true
to say that our skin is the mirror of our health: in good health the skin is shiny, tight and has a smooth
texture. It responds to changes in temperature and is generally warm when touched. When the body is
unhealthy, a dull, lifeless skin with little natural colour is observed. Apart from protecting the body from
external pathogens, the skin has a major role in a number of body functions. It is the main organ of
sensation, through millions of nerve endings contained in its structure. A rich network of blood vessels
and glands provides an effective means of temperature control. There are two main layers of the skin:
the outer epidermis and the inner dermis. The fatty subcutaneous region lies beneath these two. The
epidermis is the cellular layer of the skin, varying in thickness from 0.1 mm in the eyelid to over 1 mm
on the palms and soles. It has no nerves, connective tissue or blood vessels. In stimulating a particular
point on the skin, a practitioner can influence and change a particular organ’s blood flow.
Lymphatic system
The lymphatic system is made up of lymphatic vessels
and lymph nodes that extend throughout the body. It
helps maintain the balance of fluid in the body by
draining excess fluid from the tissues of the body and
returning it to the blood system. Closely related to the
cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system has several
major functions, e.g. filtering our bacteria, producing
lymphocytes, generating antibodies, etc. In addition to
lymph (fluid circulating in the system), the system
includes lymphatic capillaries and large vessels, lymph
nodes, spleen, tonsils and thymus. Apart from producing
antibodies, the lymphatic system is also responsible for
the collection of fatty globules from the intestine.
The lymph system also preserves the fluid balance
throughout the body. All forms of massage or therapies
involving the stimulation of the skin surface will result in
the improvement of blood and lymph circulation. One
advantage that blood circulation has over lymph
circulation is that blood is pumped around the body by means of the heart. In contrast, the circulation of lymph relies on breathing, movement (walking or
exercise) or external pressure.
As the lymph circulates between the cells, it collects waste matter including dead blood cells and toxic
materials. While blood is responsible for collecting and distributing oxygen, nutrients and hormones
nourishing the entire body, the lymphatic system is responsible for collecting and removing waste
products in the tissues. When this waste is not collected adequately or effectively, it congregates as a
localized congestion.
During cupping therapy, both blood and lymph circulatory systems are simultaneously stimulated to
work more efficiently. This results in a more efficient collection and transportation mechanism for toxic
substances, depositing it into the lymphatic system to be destroyed and allowing the circulation of fresh
lymph in order to nourish the tissues and generate a booster for the immune system.
“When energy flows, illness goes” [Chinese aphorism]
Cupping regulates the energy and blood flow. It helps draw out and eliminate the imbalanced quality i.e.
heat, cold, moistness, dryness. Cupping also opens the pores of the skin thus allowing for the
precipitation of pathogens through the skin. Nothing moves blood and energy as efficiently as cupping.
Where the patient’s energy is deficient, the movement of blood would be slow, if the energy is abundant,
the movement will be much quicker. The main objective of treatment is to remove the cause of
disharmony from the body, restore the circulation of blood, energy and fluids thus aiding physis in reestablishing homeostasis.
Before listing the benefits of cupping therapy, it is important to first look at the skin and its relation to
the internal organs, the lymphatic and the immune system.
Skin
Any topical stimulus destined to influence and manipulate internal or external organs must start at the
skin level. The skin is our largest organ, containing fluid, blood, blood vessels, connective tissue, muscles
to say that our skin is the mirror of our health: in good health the skin is shiny, tight and has a smooth
texture. It responds to changes in temperature and is generally warm when touched. When the body is
unhealthy, a dull, lifeless skin with little natural colour is observed. Apart from protecting the body from
external pathogens, the skin has a major role in a number of body functions. It is the main organ of
sensation, through millions of nerve endings contained in its structure. A rich network of blood vessels
and glands provides an effective means of temperature control. There are two main layers of the skin:
the outer epidermis and the inner dermis. The fatty subcutaneous region lies beneath these two. The
epidermis is the cellular layer of the skin, varying in thickness from 0.1 mm in the eyelid to over 1 mm
on the palms and soles. It has no nerves, connective tissue or blood vessels. In stimulating a particular
point on the skin, a practitioner can influence and change a particular organ’s blood flow.
Lymphatic systemThe lymphatic system is made up of lymphatic vessels
and lymph nodes that extend throughout the body. It
helps maintain the balance of fluid in the body by
draining excess fluid from the tissues of the body and
returning it to the blood system. Closely related to the
cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system has several
major functions, e.g. filtering our bacteria, producing
lymphocytes, generating antibodies, etc. In addition to
lymph (fluid circulating in the system), the system
includes lymphatic capillaries and large vessels, lymph
nodes, spleen, tonsils and thymus. Apart from producing
antibodies, the lymphatic system is also responsible for
the collection of fatty globules from the intestine.
The lymph system also preserves the fluid balance
throughout the body. All forms of massage or therapies
involving the stimulation of the skin surface will result in
the improvement of blood and lymph circulation. One
advantage that blood circulation has over lymph
circulation is that blood is pumped around the body by means of the heart. In contrast, the circulation of lymph relies on breathing, movement (walking or
exercise) or external pressure.
As the lymph circulates between the cells, it collects waste matter including dead blood cells and toxic
materials. While blood is responsible for collecting and distributing oxygen, nutrients and hormones
nourishing the entire body, the lymphatic system is responsible for collecting and removing waste
products in the tissues. When this waste is not collected adequately or effectively, it congregates as a
localized congestion.
During cupping therapy, both blood and lymph circulatory systems are simultaneously stimulated to
work more efficiently. This results in a more efficient collection and transportation mechanism for toxic
substances, depositing it into the lymphatic system to be destroyed and allowing the circulation of fresh
lymph in order to nourish the tissues and generate a booster for the immune system.
“When energy flows, illness goes” [Chinese aphorism]
Cupping regulates the energy and blood flow. It helps draw out and eliminate the imbalanced quality i.e.
heat, cold, moistness, dryness. Cupping also opens the pores of the skin thus allowing for the
precipitation of pathogens through the skin. Nothing moves blood and energy as efficiently as cupping.
Where the patient’s energy is deficient, the movement of blood would be slow, if the energy is abundant,
the movement will be much quicker. The main objective of treatment is to remove the cause of
disharmony from the body, restore the circulation of blood, energy and fluids thus aiding physis in reestablishing homeostasis.
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