About Cupping – BCS – British Cupping Society (2024)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”What is Cupping Therapy?”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][box_header title=”Cupping Therapy” bottom_border=”1″ animation=”0″][photostream images=”1247,1243″ images_loop=”1″ hover_icons=”1″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]The BCS defines Cupping Therapy (CT)as:

“Cupping Therapy is an ancient medical treatment that relies upon creating a local suction to mobilise blood flow in order to promote healing” (BCS 2008).

CT is usually categorised in to two types: Dry and Wet. In Dry CT, a cup is applied to the body and suction is applied; the cup stays on the skin for a short period of time before being removed. There are many variations of dry cupping with massage cupping (where a cup is applied to an oiled area of body and moved around) being the most common.

Wet cupping is a follow-on procedure from dry cupping; after the cup is removed at the end of Dry cupping, small superficial incisions are made in the relevant area and the cup is reapplied with suction for a few minutes so that a very small amount of blood is extracted.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Origins of Cupping Therapy “][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2”][vc_column_text][dropcap]CT[/dropcap]has been practiced in most cultures throughout history. In the UK, the practice of CT dates back to centuries and was practiced by prominent doctors and surgeons. Recently it has seen a revival in the UK, however many non-health professionals have also adopted the practice.

Each culture has tended to have a different method of practising CT. The ancient tribes of Africa used horns from animals as vessels and sucked strongly to create a suction effect. The Chinese and Arab cultures would use oil and fire with glass and wooden cups to achieve the same effect.


The Arabic name for CT is Hijamah which means to reduce in size i.e. to return the body back to its original composition. The practice of Hijamah has been part of Middle-Eastern cultural practice for thousands of years with citations appearing as early as the biblical times and dating back to the time of Hippocrates (400 BC). The ancient Egyptians also adopted the practice, and the oldest recorded medical textbook, the Ebers Papyrus, written in approximately 1550 BC in Egypt mentions cupping. It is also well known that Chinese Medicine for centuries incorporated CT as a conventional treatment and is even taught within Chinese Medical Schools. The major difference in the Chinese approach is that it often does not involve the letting of blood i.e. Dry Cupping.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]To this day, parts of Eastern Europe still utilise Wet CT as a means of treatment of a number of medical conditions and for general well-being. The practice is also well known in many Middle Eastern countries such as Syria, Palestine, Iraq and the Gulf countries. In the northern regions of the sub-continent and in Pakistan and Afghanistan in particular, bloodletting is practiced in many rural areas alongside medicinal leech therapy for treatment, prevention and for health promotion. It is interesting to note that health promotion is a recent practice adopted in the western medical fields, yet many Eastern cultures implemented this very advanced concept many centuries ago. CT is a treatment that is claimed to have both curative and preventative properties.

In many cultures, the practice of this technique diminished or was replaced by the introduction of modern scientific techniques involving pharmacology and surgery. In many western health trusts however, some hospitals have begun to use CT again particularly in disciplines such as physiotherapy and sports medicine. The principles of CT are believed to be very similar to that of the medicinal leech therapy and acupuncture, therefore we as the BCS do not regard CT as an alien or new concept to the field of medicine.

The fact that CT has been used and survives as a treatment for numerous ailments, across numerous cultures, and stood the test of time is in itself a testament to the benefits that it provides.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”How does Cupping work?”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how Cupping Therapy (CT) works on the body. The exact mechanism of how cupping is therapeutically beneficial is still being researched some of the more popular theories are described below:

Pain Gate Theory

CT may influence pain through local and distal mechanisms. Locally the application of cupping may influence pain by affecting the pain gate control mechanisms that the body uses to perceive and regulate pain. It has been researched that cupping therapy can reduce pain perception in several conditions including back pain, rheumatoid arthritis and migraine.

Detox Theory

Poor circulation, reduced lymphatic flow, as well as adhesions secondary to injury or overuse are reported to cause symptoms consistent with pain, impaired recovery, and systemic disorders like diabetes. Cupping therapy permits the extravasation of blood, interstitial fluid, and disease-causing substances (toxins) from the body. Cupping is reported to take the pressure off the tissue and relieve the body from local and distal congestions caused by poor circulatory mechanisms. In doing so, CT helps to restore the body to its natural homeostasis.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Immune System Activation Theory

In studies involving rheumatoid arthritis patients, CT was shown to have a direct effect on the immune system and complement activation. In other research, it was discovered that when combined as an adjunct to conventional medicine, CT may improve the clinical condition of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by stimulating both the adaptive and innate immune responses.

Muscle Relaxation Theory

Cupping therapy stimulates blood flow to the treated areas through its numerous effects generated by negative suction. The increase in localised blood flow helps remove lymph and lactic acid from tired, overused muscles. This together with endorphin release corresponds well with the observed self-reported relaxation. In a recent study of CT and muscle relaxation in neck pain patients, it was discovered that on average patients reported that their muscles were 66% more relaxed up to 1month after cupping therapy treatment.

In summary, it must be emphasised that these are all theories and further research and evidence is needed to substantiate their hypothesis.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

About Cupping – BCS – British Cupping Society (2024)

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