Therapies That Benefit from Cupping
Generally speaking, most of the hands-on therapeutic practitioners can also incorporate cupping therapy to their practice. The ultimate aim of all hands-on techniques is to stimulate the body’s natural healing powers by balancing the physical, mental and emotional energies and restoring health to the individual. Therapies such as aromatherapy, massage, chiropractic, osteopathy, kinesiology, the Alexander technique, shiatsu, reflexology, polarity and physiotherapy can all safely incorporate cupping therapy into their skills.
Aromatherapy
This
is a massage technique that matches suitable essential oils to the condition of
the patient. Essential oils have been used therapeutically throughout history,
therapists recognizing the therapeutic values of flowers and plants and using
them regularly for treatment purposes. They have been particularly successful
in the treatment of aching muscles and joints, and of stress-related
conditions. It is recommended to apply cupping therapy before the
aromatherapy session begins. This way you move and stimulate the Energy and
Blood first and finish off the treatment with the soothing action of
aromatherapy.
Massage
Whenever
we feel pain in any part of our body, our hand automatically goes to that part
and we begin to rub, squeeze or simply massage the painful spot. This usually
brings some instant relief. Massage must be the oldest and the most effective
form of cure, used either therapeutically or as a preventive. Rubbing the skin
increases the blood circulation and metabolism in the affected area. This action
will not only directly benefit the
immediate skin and muscles, but also the lymphatic system, nerves, blood
vessels, cells and organs beneath the skin. A good body-worker is able to feel
the tension on the skin and identify the stress zones. Once identified,
different massage methods can be applied to eliminate these stress zones.
Cupping directly on or next to stress zones can bring relief to sufferers.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic
was developed by Daniel David Palmer in the USA in 1895. This system of
treatment sees the root of the disease in the displacement of the vertebrae,
which causes blockages in the energy to a particular organ (Fig.4.2). By
manipulating and adjusting the spine manually, the blockage and the pressure
are relieved; this is known as ‘subluxation’. Chiropractors also advise the
patient on nutrition and exercise.
Cupping
during chiropractic manipulation reduces the local pressure on the vertebrae
and improves the Energy flow and the Blood circulation to the muscle and
tendons of the spine. Cupping is used next to the subluxation and not directly
over it; also, avoid direct cupping on the inflamed disc.
Osteopathy
The
principle of osteopathy is that disease is primarily the result of derangement
of the spinal column, which consists of 24 movable vertebrae. These enclose and
protect the spinal cord. When vertebrae are displaced they press on a nerve
and, as a result, muscular or organ dysfunction occurs. If we think of the
nervous system as an electric wiring configuration carrying uninterrupted power
(energy) from site A to site B, all the expected bodily functions will occur continuously
and without interruption. However, when there is a ‘short’ (blockage) anywhere
in the system, the power (energy) will not reach the desired point and
dysfunction will follow. An osteopath is trained to locate this blockage and
unlock it using manipulation techniques, which may sometimes be followed by
drugs or surgery. The more traditional osteopaths prefer to use manipulation as
the only method. The objective is to restore the energy flow to the organs
uninterrupted.
Cupping
can be applied to the local and distal points on the lesion during manipulation
or at the end of the session. Light, Medium, Strong and Empty cupping methods
can all be employed. Avoid direct cupping therapy on the inflamed disc.
Kinesiology
Developed
by Dr George Goodheart, a chiropractic, in the early 1960s, this system uses
muscle reflexes and their effects on corresponding organs. Weak and Strong
muscles are identified through a series of muscle tests. Herbal remedies,
together with nutritional therapy, may also be prescribed. Shiatsu/acupressure
and massage are applied to the weak muscles in order to strengthen them and the
associated organs. Although this is by no means a form of relaxation massage,
the patient feels light, alert and full of energy following the treatment.
Cupping
can also be applied to strengthen the weak muscles and associated organs
through its ability to influence the flow of Qi and Blood. Light, Medium,
Strong, Moving, Light-moving and Empty cupping methods can be employed to the
local muscles. Cupping should be used at the end of a kinesiology session,
Reflexology
Reflexology
is another form of energy balancing therapy, focusing on the relationship
between granulated points found on the soles of the feet and reflexes on the
body. The reflexology practitioner, by means of a gentle touch or rub, is
seeking points that are sensitive and granular. These are treated as uric acid
crystallizations in the feet and are used in diagnosis and treatment. When
massaging or rubbing the granules, therapeutic benefits can be expected on the
corresponding organs of the body. Reflexology is based on the principle that
there is a connection between the nerve endings in the feet and the organs of
the body.
Physiotherapy
This
manipulative therapy is the most accepted and utilized by the medical
profession all over the world, especially in the Western hemisphere. The aim is
to retrain and restore the bodily functions lost as a result of operations,
trauma, strokes, disease, etc. by applying mild pressure, heat, water and/or
manipulation or strengthening techniques to the moving parts of the body.
During physiotherapy the use of equipment is common, but nothing can substitute
for the touch of the physiotherapist (the healer).
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