ADVERTISING: Advertorial — DR. WENDY CUNNINGHAM: Four reasons to add cupping for wellness

Cupping is popular because it is effective and feels great. Traditional Chinese medicine is all about balancing the body internally. Cupping promotes the free flow of Qi (energy) and blood by removing blockages and stagnation along the meridians that cause pain.

In Western medicine terms, cupping therapy is a soft tissue modality that uses negative pressure to gently lift the skin and underlying connective tissue (called fascia). This lifting dynamic enhances blood flow in tight, painful and restricted muscles by creating space for old, oxygen-depleted blood to leave so that fresh, oxygen-rich blood can enter.

Here are four reasons to consider adding cupping to your wellness routine:

Cupping reduces pain. Studies demonstrated that cupping is effective for both acute and chronic pain management. It is ideal for the stubborn knots that you are not able to stretch out. It is commonly used for the neck, back and shoulders. It can also work wonders on tight muscles in your thighs, legs, arms, and aid recovery from tension headaches and sports injuries.

Cupping reduces stress. Stress and unprocessed emotions create tension in our bodies. Uncontrolled stress is often a factor for nearly all chronic health conditions including anxiety, depression and digestive disorders. In Chinese medicine, our emotions have physical effects on the circulation of Qi and blood in our bodies and internal organ systems. By promoting the free flow of Qi and blood in the muscles and meridians, cupping alleviates physical tension while easing the heavy emotions attached to them.

Cupping improves immune system function. According to the “Medical Perspective of Cupping: Effects and Mechanisms of Action” (2017), cupping benefits the immune system by initiating “artificial local inflammation” that signals the body to release antibodies and phagocytic cells that “engulf” and clear damaged cells from an organism, therefore “giving it a protective role by increasing immunity.” The study also cites how cupping affects the thymus gland to improve lymphatic flow and increases the level of interferon and tumor-necrotizing factor which both have therapeutic outcomes for patients with auto-immune diseases.

Cupping reduces congestion. Cupping was originally used for pulmonary tuberculosis thousands of years ago. Today, it still holds a therapeutic role for coughs, chest congestion and helping clear excess mucus from allergies and other respiratory conditions. When cupping is done over the upper back, it benefits the lungs by creating space for deeper breathing while loosening stubborn phlegm.

Have you tried cupping?

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For more information, contact Dr. Wendy Cunningham at haydenhealth@gmail.com.