If you’re looking for an “Asheville spa near me,” you are probably looking to relax and reset. With a variety of treatments available today ranging from various kinds of full body massage to acupuncture to Ayurvedic medicine, selecting from the right spa near you can feel like selecting a proper nourishing snack at your local market. But have you ever heard of cupping?In this article, we address frequently asked questions about cupping, including what cupping is and the history of cupping therapy. This way, you will be able to pick the right spa treatment for the occasion next time you’re looking for an “Asheville spa near me.”

What Is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping is a form of holistic medicine with ancient roots in human history. It involves placing several cups on exposed skin and creating a vacuum, either with pumps or with fire, to create suction within the cup. (With fire cupping, the practitioner will light paper, herbs, or other combustibles within the cup and place it over the patient’s skin when the fire goes out to create a vacuum.) The cups are kept in place for up to three minutes before removal.There are two primary branches of cupping: wet, and dry. Dry cupping involves, simply, the cup, your skin, and suction. In the process of wet cupping, your practitioner will make a tiny incision using a scalpel before placing the cup over the top of the cut. This will encourage a small amount of blood to issue from the wound, which is thought to improve circulation, help lessen pain, and generally promote wellbeing, relaxation, and healing.In fact, many patients testify that cupping significantly reduces their chronic pain, though there are not any conclusive studies on the efficacy of cupping.. Regardless, cupping is generally perceived by patients as a calming experience offering immediate relief from pain and stress.It is important to keep in mind that wet cupping typically requires a small amount of after-procedural care, often involving antibacterial ointment and bandages—but the incisions are small, and should heal relatively quickly. Bruising or redness around the cupping areas is not uncommon, as the vacuum causes blood vessels to expand.

Stationary vs. Glided Cupping

Within the dry cupping practice, there are two methods commonly employed. In stationary cupping, the vacuum cups are left in place for the duration of the treatment. In glided cupping, the vacuum cups are lubricated with oil and gently guided along meridian points on larger areas of the body like the back or leg muscles.

What are Cupping Therapy Cups Made From?

Cupping therapy cups come in a variety of forms. They are commonly made from glass but may also be made from:

• Porcelain
• Bamboo
• Silicone

Where and When was Cupping Invented?

Cupping has been around since at least 1,500 BC, as evidenced by ancient Egyptians who recorded its practice in the medical document known as the Ebers Papyrus. While we have early evidence of Egyptians using cupping to treat everything from menstrual problems to fever, vertigo, bronchitis, pneumonia, or low appetite.Ancient Egyptians weren’t the only culture thousands of years ago to practice cupping. In fact, we know that cupping was practiced in Ancient China, Greece, and the Middle East. Notably, Hippocrates (known as the foundational patriarch for modern western medicine) used cupping techniques to treat circulation and menstrual issues, among other disorders.

Does Cupping Therapy Actually Work?

As previously stated, there aren’t many studies on the efficacy of cupping practices that can conclusively indicate that cupping can be used to treat a wide array of symptoms. However, according to a 2016 study on professional soccer players in Greece, cupping was shown to be an effective treatment for myofascial pain. The Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) in these athletes increased after cupping, due to the expanding of blood vessels in addition to local stretching as a result of the cupping. These results suggest that cupping does, in fact, offer physical relief from pain due to overworked muscles and repetitive injury.

What Do Cupping Marks Mean?

Some schools of thought around cupping practices believe that the residual marks left on the skin after the removal of the vacuum are key indicators to a person’s wellness. For example, in traditional Chinese medicine, the state of the skin beneath the vacuum indicates circulation health, toxin buildup, “Qi” or life force deficiencies, stagnation, and more.

Will Cupping Marks Fade?

Yes—cupping marks are not permanent! Depending on the concentration of redness left behind after the procedure (ranging from light pink to dark red), the marks will go away in as little as a few minutes or as much as two weeks.Cupping treatments can be recommended as much as twice weekly, depending on the outcome of each cupping. For more information on traditional Chinese medicine’s interpretation of cupping marks, click here!Asheville Spa Near MeWhile there is not yet conclusive evidence to indicate that cupping is effective, most cupping patients report immediate, describable relief from pain resulting from a variety of maladies. Even if you do not suffer from pain as a result of muscular issues, arthritis, or athletic injury, cupping is a relaxing practice that has been enjoyed for thousands of years.You don’t have to be looking for an “Asheville spa near me” based on massages or acupuncture alone. Book a cupping therapy session with The Horse Shoe Farm today!