Cupping therapy

Cupping therapy:
Types
Benefits
Effectiveness
Safety

1. Cupping therapy

2. Cupping  is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a local suction is created on the skin; practitioners believe this mobilizes blood flow in order to promote healing.  Suction is created using heat (fire) or mechanical devices (hand or electrical pumps) .

3. Description of cupping Through either heat or suction, the skin is gently drawn upwards by creating a vacuum in a cup over the target area of the skin. The cup stays in place for five to fifteen minutes. It is believed by some to help treat pain, deep scar tissues in the muscles and connective tissue, muscle knots, and swelling

4. The mechanism of action The local negative pressure applied to human causes specific changes in local tissue structure, stretch to the nerve and muscle, increasing blood circulation and causing autohemolysis .  Generally, cupping induced negative pressure can dilate local blood vessels to improve microcirculation, promote capillary endothelial cells repair, accelerate granulation and the development of new blood vessels.

5. In practice cups are normally used only on softer tissue that can form a good seal with the edge of the cup. They may be used singly or with many to cover a larger area. They may be used by themselves or placed over an acupuncture needle. Skin may be lubricated, allowing the cup to move across the skin slowly. Depending on the specific treatment, skin marking is common after the cups are removed. This may be a simple red ring that disappears quickly, Usually treatments are not painful.

6. History There is reason to believe the practice dates from as early as 3000 BC. The  Ebers Papyrus, written c. 1550 BC and one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, describes the Egyptians' use of cupping.  Archaeologists have found evidence in China of cupping dating back to 1000 BC. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates (c. 400 BC) used cupping for internal disease and structural problems. This method in multiple forms spread into medicine throughout Asian and European civilizations. 

7. In Islamic hadith Cupping is mentioned in the Islamic  hadith  : Narrated Ibn ' Abbas : (The Prophet said), "Healing is in three things: A gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire (cauterizing). But I forbid my followers to use (cauterization) branding with fire. Narrated Ibn ' Abbas : The Prophet was cupped on his head for an ailment he was suffering from while he was in a state of Ihram at a water place called Lahl Jamal. Ibn ' Abbas further said: Allah's Apostle was cupped on his head for unilateral headache while he was in a state of Ihram. It is narrated on the authority of Humaid that Anas b. Malik was asked about the earnings of the cupper. He said: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) got himself cupped. His cupper was Abu Taiba and he (the Holy Prophet) commanded to give him two sa's [a unit of measurement] of corn. He (the Holy Prophet) talked with the members of his family and they lightened the burden of  Kharaj  (tax) from him (i.e. they made remission in the charges of their own accord). He (Allah's Apostle) said: The best (treatment) which you take is cupping, or it is the best of your treatments.

8. Types of Cupping Therapy There are various types of cupping therapy, including: Dry cupping (suction only) Fire cupping (suction only) Wet cupping (combination of suction and controlled medicinal bleeding) bleeding or wet cupping (controlled bleeding) is more common than dry cupping . As a general rule, wet cupping provides a more "curative-treatment approach" to patient management whereas dry cupping appeals more to a "therapeutic and relaxation approach".

9. 1- Dry cupping The cupping procedure commonly involves creating a small area of low air pressure next to the skin. The cups can be various shapes including balls or bells, and may range in size from 1 to 3 inches (25 to 76 mm) across the opening. Plastic and glass are the most common materials used today, replacing the horn , bronze and bamboo cups used in earlier times. The low air pressure required may be created by heating the cup or the air inside it with an open flame, then placing it against the skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it contracts and draws the skin slightly inside. More recently, vacuum can be created with a mechanical suction pump acting through a valve located at the top of the cup.

10. 2- Fire cupping Fire cupping involves soaking a cotton ball in 70% alcohol. The cotton is then clamped by a pair of forceps and lit via match or lighter. The flaming cotton ball is then placed into the cup, quickly removed, and the cup is placed on the skin. By adding fire to the inside of the cup, oxygen is removed (which is replaced with an equal volume of carbon dioxide) and a small amount of suction is created by the air cooling down again and contracting. Massage oil may be applied to create a better seal in an act called "moving cupping". Dark circles may appear where the cups were placed because of rupture of the capillaries just under the skin, but are not the same as a bruise caused by blunt-force trauma.

11. 3- Wet cupping (Al- Hijamah ) or (medicinal bleeding) While the history of wet cupping may date back thousands of years, the first documented uses are found in the teachings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. the practice of cupping therapy has survived in Muslim countries. In Finland, wet cupping has been done at least since the 15th century. The cupping cups were made of cattle horns with a valve mechanism in it to create an partial vacuum by sucking the air out. Cupping is still used in Finland as an alternative medicine.

12. Procedure : mild suction is created using a cup and a pump on the selected area and left for about three minutes. The cup is then removed and small superficial skin incisions are made using a cupping scalpel. A second suction is used to carefully draw out a small quantity of blood. The procedure has been endorsed by the British Cupping Society which aims to promote, protect and develop professional standards in cupping therapy.

13. 3 Reasons Everyone Should Try Cupping 1. Celebrity cupping enthusiasts are growing in numbers. 2. Athletes use cupping as a secret weapon. 3. Cupping provides relief for many health conditions.

14. Benefits of Cupping Therapy The British Cupping Society says cupping therapy can treat a variety of conditions. This has not been backed up by studies. But the organization says cupping therapy is used to treat: Blood disorders such as  anemia  and  hemophilia Rheumatic diseases such as  arthritis   Fertility  and gynecological disorders Skin problems such as  eczema  and  acne High blood pressure ( hypertension ) Migraine Anxiety  and  depression Bronchial congestion caused by allergies and asthma Varicose veins Supporters also believe that cupping therapy can reduce pain and inflammation throughout the body. And they say it can promote mental and physical relaxation and well-being.

15. cupping therapy may be effective when combined with other treatments like acupuncture or medications in treating various diseases and conditions, such as: Herpes zoster Acne Facial paralysis Cervical Osteoarthritis (Cervical Spondylosis )

16. Side Effects of Cupping Therapy Cupping is considered to be relatively safe, especially when performed by trained health professionals. Potential side effects include: Mild discomfort Burns Bruises Skin infection the discoloration left by the cups is normally from bruising especially if dragging the cups while suctioned from one place to another to break down muscle fiber.

17. According to the British Cupping Society, cupping therapy should be avoided by the following groups: Pregnant   or menstruating women People with metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread from one part of the body to another) People with bone fractures or muscle spasms The organization also says cupping therapy should not be applied to sites on the body that have: A deep vein thrombosis An ulcer An artery A pulse that can be felt

18. Limited bruising cupping New silicone therapy cups are claimed to alleviate bruising associated with traditional cupping. The cups are easier to use and are pliable, unlike glass or plastic, allowing for home use. Because of the lack of bruising and overall comfort, silicone cups are mainly smaller in size and used for facial cupping. Hydration before and after the therapy and general massage can also help reduce the bruising from cupping

19. Effectiveness As with many forms of manual therapy, the effectiveness of cupping is difficult to determine . Cupping is widely used as an alternative treatment for cancer. However, the American Cancer Society notes that "available scientific evidence does not support demands that cupping has any health benefits". A 2012 review of the evidence in an article published in PLOS ONE said that studies appeared to show that cupping therapy was effective for treating a number of conditions, but that nearly all included trials were evaluated as high risk of bias . Very few scientific studies have been conducted on the validity of cupping as an alternative medical practice. In fact, a significant amount of studies either do not support cupping practices

20. Safety Cupping has few major side effects aside from the pain of skin cuts. One potentially serious risk is infection. Other possible minor side effects that may occur is feeling of slight light headedness post therapy, this is similar to the sensation one feels after having blood taken when donating blood. Cupping [ hijama ] encourages blood flow to the cupped region (hyperemia), one may therefore feel warmer and hotter as a result of vasodilatation taking place and slight sweating may occur. Pregnant women or menstruating women, cancer (metastatic) patients and patients with bone fractures or muscle spasms are also believed to be contra-indicated. Some practitioners suggest that a low risk of blood clotting is possible and therefore walking and staying awake after a procedure is advisable.

21. THANK YOU ! Made By: Omar Hesham Abd Elaziz