What is cupping therapy and does it work for fibromyalgia? If you suffer from the devastating condition of fibromyalgia, you may wonder this exact question. There are medical treatments for fibromyalgia and there are alternative therapies for fibromyalgia. You, as a sufferer, probably have tried a few of both trying to find relief from your symptoms. Cupping therapy falls underneath the alternative therapies.
Alternative therapies are becoming more and more popular for fibromyalgia sufferers. Why? Because they work. And the good news is that most of the alternative therapies don’t come along with the nasty side effects that a lot of the conventional medications do. But it is important that you do your research as there are a lot of hoky alternative therapies out there as well. So, let’s take a look at what you need to know about cupping therapy so you know if it is a viable option for you.
So what is cupping therapy? Well, like a lot of our alternative therapies it comes from the Chinese. Surprised, of course not, since this is where a majority of alternative therapies come from. Cupping involves applying glass cups, hence the name, to the skin in order to help your body rid itself of toxins, pain, and increase circulation. I know this sounds a little weird for us to grasp but so did acupuncture when it was first introduced to the West. With cupping each glass is placed on various spots on your boddy and acts as a vacuum through heat and are left on your body for about 15 minutes.
There are two main ways that cupping are used. The first is massage cupping and it entails the glass cups are moved in a massage like patter around the skin. The benefits of massage cupping is less sore joints and muscles. The second method of cupping is stationary cupping where the glass cups are left untouched and not moved at all during the session.
Sound a little weird? Well, a typical cupping session generally involves using glass cups, cotton balls, rubbing alcohol, candles and matches. So, let’s go through step by step and see how the session would play out. First, a cotton ball is soaked in alcohol and lit on fire, a vacuum is created inside the glass by the holding the cotton ball inside the cup. The heat causes the vacuum. Once this is done and there is suction the cotton ball is removed and the glass cup is placed to the trigger point on the skin. A typical session includes about 4 or 5 cups and sometimes 6 placed and left on the skin for no longer than 15 minutes.
Although this may sound a little weird and painful, it’s not. Usually the typical person undergoing a cupping session only feels a slight suction feeling where the cup is placed. You may have little red rings on your skin afterward but they will fade.
There are benefits to the Fibromyalgia patient who goes through these sessions. You will see a definite change in your relaxation and feel calm. Cupping helps to release the toxins from your body and promotes quicker healing time of muscles, joints and all the achiness we often feel when we suffer from fibromyalgia. You will also see improved flexibility in your muscles. Another benefit is reduced pain from trigger points and it can also help your anxiety level go down and help your depression.
Cupping is a safe treatment for fibromyalgia when it is done by someone who is qualified. Never try this by yourself at home. Find a qualified massage therapist or visit a holistic treatment center. Cupping can provide great benefits to you and help in your overall healing of the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
For more information on alternative healing techniques, visit www.ridfibromyalgia.com for all the up to date information and treatments. You will find free articles and healing tips to get you started back on the road to health.
Article Source: http://www.fitnesshealtharticles.com.
About the Author:
Hailey Harris is an expert in Fibromyalgia after suffering from debilitating symptoms for more than 8 years. She is now symptom free and helping others become the same through the site Ridfibromyalgia (www.ridfibromyalgia.com). For free info, healing tips, and up to date info, subscribe to our free newsletter Stomp Out Fibromyalgia at Ridfibromyalgia.com or see our healing articles at www.ridfibromyalgia.com/how.html.
Fibromyalgia Relief Through Cupping Therapy
