Sort of O/T Anyone Ever had Cupping Done?

Oh my gosh I hadn't thought about cupping in years. When I was a psychologist in the schools (now retired) I had a student sent to me due to possible child abuse. The PE teacher saw these red, burned, round circles running down her her neck. Before I called the abuse hotline, I asked her about them and found out it was cupping and her parents always did the technique when the kids were sick (she had a sore throat). The parents were from another country and it was common practice there. I have had a hot stone massage (wonderful) and believe me, cupping is not similar. I wouldn't do it....unless you don't mind having the marks...which are actually trauma to the skin.

FYI:

There are various types of cupping therapy, including:

• Dry cupping (suction only)
• Wet cupping (combination of suction and controlled medicinal bleeding)

During both types of cupping, a flammable substance such as alcohol, herbs, or paper is placed in a cup and set on fire. As the fire goes out, the cup is placed upside down on the patient's skin.

As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a vacuum. This causes the skin to rise and redden as blood vessels expand. The cup is generally left in place for five to 10 minutes.

A more modern version of cupping uses a rubber pump to create the vacuum inside the cup. Sometimes practitioners use medical-grade silicone cups. These are pliable enough to be moved from place to place on the skin and produce a massage-like effect.

I had accupuncture for a shoulder problem and cupping was done as part of the treatment.

Hickies everywhere a "cup" was placed. So, be forewarned ...

I've only seen this done on adults, and only in Asian communities..... long ago, though.

It's not for those who have low tolerance for pain, that's for sure.

On 2/24/2014 WhateverLolaWants said:

I had accupuncture for a shoulder problem and cupping was done as part of the treatment.

Hickies everywhere a "cup" was placed. So, be forewarned ...

Thanks all. The massage therapist did explain her process and warned me about marks on my shoulder and back. I did already know that. Going to double-check with her tomorrow on the pain thing. I'm not really up for that. LOL. This gal is very good - well-trained and has been doing massage therapy for six years. The studio would not associate with her if she was a flake. I loved the hot stone massage she did. She used the stones to massage with.

It did not hurt, but I did have marks afterward. They were not as bad as I was expecting, however, since I bruise fairly easily and have marks for a long time.

On 2/24/2014 Linda129 said:

Thanks all. The massage therapist did explain her process and warned me about marks on my shoulder and back. I did already know that. Going to double-check with her tomorrow on the pain thing. I'm not really up for that. LOL. This gal is very good - well-trained and has been doing massage therapy for six years. The studio would not associate with her if she was a flake. I loved the hot stone massage she did. She used the stones to massage with.