Cupping Therapy or in Italian “cupping”, this is the name of the treatment to which those reddish bruises seen on the skin of Gregorio Paltrinieri. The swimming champion, who has recently won the victory at the World Championships in Budapest in the 1500 meters style, has in fact said that he underwent this practice. But Cupping Therapy, which seems to be popular among athletes since Rio 2016actually has other big famous supporters, including the actress Gwyneth Paltrowwho was an advocate of it at the time, Victoria Beckham And Lady Gaga.
In What consists therefore the cupping? How is it practiced? And what are the benefits? We asked the Professor Francesco Marinodirector of the Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy Service of the Beato Matteo Clinical Institute in Vigevano, who during his professional career also obtained a specialization diploma in Rational Foundations of Chinese Medicine.
What is Cupping Theraphy?
“Cupping Therapy or cupping is a strategy that involves theuse of real cups, in glass or plastic, inside which it is reduced the air pressureso as to ensure that, placed on the skin, they exercise a sucking effect. The practice can be performed either by heating the air inside the cup, or by using a special mechanical pump that sucks in a little air and therefore causes a vacuum ».
Where on the body are these cups placed?
“It’s about the points identified by traditional Chinese medicinetherefore the same acupuncture which are selected according to what is the goal to be achieved. In Chinese medicine, cupping is in fact understood as one dispersion technique, or aimed at resolving energy accumulations. According to the traditional Chinese approach, the energy should in fact flow harmoniously along the meridians of the body and the diseases would be caused by a deficit or an energy accumulation at a certain point. Cupping is one of the techniques used to unblock such buildups. According to the Western approach, however, Cupping Therapy has mainly a decontracting effect on the muscles, relaxing and activating the microcirculationwith a improvement of vascularity in the area where the cups are applied, a increased oxygen supply and elimination of waste and toxins“.
What are the benefits of cupping therapy?
«The sucking exerted on the skin would cause a cutaneous and subcutaneous vasodilation, as well as having a relaxing and relaxing effect. The main indications for the use of this method include the treatment of osteo-articular pains, rheumatic, muscular, such as neck pain, back pain, low back pain, sciatica, fibromyalgia as well as applications in relaxation techniquesin sports activities and in aesthetic medicine for the treatment of cellulite. However, we must emphasize that from a scientific point of view these benefits are not proven. This means that cupping cannot be shown to have statistically significantly greater clinical efficacy than placebo. However, it is a thousand-year-old technique: there is in fact evidence that cupping was used as early as 1550 BC to treat pain and to relax. In summary, being a practice used for millennia we can deduce that it probably works but the scientific evidence in this regard is lacking “.
Are there any possible contraindications?
“In fact, cupping is one minimally invasive practice however we must pay attention: in compromised or very elderly patients the condition of the skin should be examined, which can be very subtle or particularly delicate. The main contraindications concern the pregnancy and skin diseases: it is essential to assess, before proceeding, that there are no injuries “.
Which professionals should I contact to undergo Cupping Therapy?
«In general we can say that there is no particular professional figure however they must be suitably trained and qualified personnel. It can definitely be the doctor, but also the osteopath, physiotherapist or beautician provided, as we said, they are be prepared for this type of treatment which, if not performed correctly, like a massage, can have side effects or potential complications “. \
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Source: Vanity Fair
