Cupping Therapy for Back Pain

Cupping therapy, a safe, painless, and non-invasive technique, constitutes a significant component part of the traditional Chinese medicine, and has enjoyed a time-honored history in China so far. Its variations have been used in Europe area, such as Turkey, Greece, France, and Italy.

A partial vacuum is created in cups placed on the skin either by means of heat or suction. This draws up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place. Cupping therapy is beneficial because it smoothes flow of energy through energy channels, adjusts energy, and stimulates the metabolism. The cups used in cupping therapy leave temporary red marks; the deeper the color, the poorer the state of a person's physical condition. Studies have proven that cupping has positive effects on back pain due to osteoporosis, which is a condition that causes abnormally thin bone.

Back pain that occurs as a result of osteoporosis is actually quite common in modern world. It is frequently caused by vertebral compression fractures; strained back muscles and stress. Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that osteoporosis may be due to Kidney Deficiency or loss of kidney functions. The kidneys are located in the flank (back of the upper abdomen at either side of the spinal column). Back pain is definitely related to Kidney Deficiency. Total body weakness, together with back qi-blood and obstruction of collateral channels, may worsen the back pain.

Cupping therapy is a treatment in which the practitioner creates suction in a cup. And then applies that cup to the body, which then draws the skin up around the cup, under the cup. Cupping can stimulate the related abnormal position or placement of a body part by means of heat or suction. It is able to dredge main and collateral channels; regulate qi-blood and alleviate muscle tension, and thus ease the pain. For back pain due to osteoporosis, it is advised to apply 4-8 (fire cupping) cups on both sides of spinal cord longitudinally once in 3-5 days, mainly on the ached position. Be careful not to burn your skin during the cupping therapy.

There are some taboo diseases of cupping: Heart Disease; Blood Disease; Skin Disease; Mental Disease; Pulmonary Tuberculosis; Infectious Disease; Bone Fracture; Body Weakness; Pregnant Woman; Menstruation; Full or Hunger; Thirsty and Over-Drunk.

Cupping therapy is usually used as part of acupuncture or body work treatment. It has been part of Chinese medicine for over 2,500 years. Cupping has been found to affect the body up to four inches into the tissues, causing tissues to release toxins, activate the lymphatic system, clear colon blockages, help activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, activate the skin, clear stretch marks and improve varicose veins. It also has special good effects in regulating the balance of Yin and Yang (Female and Male); release tiredness and strengthen the body. Therefore, cupping has been used extensively in curing diseases and improving physical health.