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Fusing traditional methods with modern approaches in the field of holistic wellness has generated interest in improving our health and vitality. Vacuum treatment and acupressure are two ancient methods.
They are highly regarded for their huge impact on the body’s natural healing. Science is working to solve the mysteries beneath this age-old wisdom. Acupressure and vacuum therapy are a great example of two different but complementary fields working together.
Vacuum therapy, rooted in ancient Egypt and China, uses negative pressure to increase circulation and encourage tissue regeneration. In contrast, acupressure, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), reduces pain and balances the body’s meridian system.
Taken as a whole, these methods have proven to be remarkably effective in treating a wide range of health issues. Still, their actual transforming power emerges in their perfect combination.
As we embark on this journey, let us explore the common concepts, therapeutic mechanisms, and modern applications of acupressure. Let’s also examine vacuum treatment. Come along with us as we untangle the web of modern methods weaved with age-old knowledge. Here is your door to a deep journey of self-discovery, recuperation, and rejuvenation.
Table of Contents
Understanding Vacuum Therapy
Vacuum therapy is a non-invasive massage treatment that can elevate your skin. A mechanical tool with suction cups administers this treatment. Vacuum therapy machine was first brought to the public’s attention in the 1970s to help treat burn scars. However, it has now evolved into a non-surgical butt lift technique. Vacuum therapy has been explored as a possible treatment for skin ulcers in other research.
Vacuotherapy is another name for vacuum therapy, as is depressomassage. The technique is also sometimes used to mimic the outcomes of a traditional breast lift. It is supposed to provide outcomes similar to a surgical butt lift. Cupping therapy has numerous advantages and is a great complement to acupuncture treatment.
When silicone or glass cups press against your skin, you feel as if they are sucking you in because of the vacuum they create. This suction improves circulation and pushes muscular waste out of the tissues. It also brings blood flow to the area.
Your lymph system will then be better able to eliminate these muscular wastes. The whole region feels more relaxed and energized as a result. After your therapy, this feeling persists for a few days.
A few advantages of cupping are:
- Enhanced blood circulation
- Enhanced blood flow
- Release of tension and tightness in the muscles
- Alleviation of pain
- Enhancement of lymphatic flow
Cupping is applied to address various problems. People most commonly use this treatment to address stiffness, muscle tension, and improve circulation. However, some practitioners combine cupping and acupuncture. They do this to treat a variety of conditions, including respiratory problems and more, such as:
- Inhalation
- Flu and cold symptoms
- Eczema and Bronchitis
- Elevated blood pressure
- Headaches
- Fibromyalgia
- Additional imbalances
Understanding Acupressure
Even though we are unsure of its precise effects, acupressure is believed to alleviate blacked energy. It releases endorphins. These are the body’s natural analgesic substances. The pressure also impacts the nervous system that controls emotions. This area of the neurological system regulates your breathing, heart rate, and digestion. It also controls other involuntary functions.
TCM theory holds that the body comprises invisible energy channels called meridians. It is believed that the organs are connected to other body regions by at least 14 meridians. Health issues are said to arise along a meridian if qi is stopped anywhere along that passage.
An acupressure practitioner hence administers pressure to particular places to re-establish a healthy energy flow. Their selection of points is based on your symptoms.
The pressure points employed may be far from the location of the symptom because of the way meridians run. For instance, a headache can be eased by applying pressure to a foot acupressure point.
The majority of individuals use acupressure to treat conditions like:
- Lack of sleep
- Control of stress
- Headache
- Cramping with menstruation
- Motion sickness
- Pain and tenseness in the muscles7.
- Morning sickness and, vomiting, and nausea during pregnancy
- Vomiting and nausea following chemotherapy or surgery
- Auricular (ear) acupuncture may be beneficial in treating chemotherapy-induced weariness associated with cancer, according to certain studies.
How do They complement each other?
During an acupuncture session, cupping is a traditional method that is applied in addition to needles. Traditional Chinese Medicine includes
- cupping,
- acupuncture,
- gua sha,
- plum blossom needle therapy,
- auricular acupuncture,
- and moxibustion as adjunct therapies.
For instance, an acupuncturist might determine that cupping could be a beneficial supplement to your treatment. This is especially true if you are receiving treatment for neck or back discomfort. In this instance, cupping would be done to improve local blood circulation. Additionally, cupping is occasionally used in conjunction with massage or physical therapy.
Cupping is also helpful for various problems like headaches or migraines and respiratory ailments like colds or asthma. Generally, cupping needs to be used with acupuncture treatment to be beneficial for problems like these.
A variety of cupping procedures can be employed. For example, the cups can be placed at particular acupuncture sites, put in confined spaces, and relocated or left stationary. In certain instances, this may feel similar to a deep tissue massage.
Another option is flash cupping, which involves quickly applying and raising cups over a predetermined region. Cupping has long-lasting effects. When combined with acupuncture treatments, cupping therapy is an excellent way to relieve chronic pain and muscle tension while also accelerating the healing process.
Cupping facilitates the better flow of Qi across your body, enhances blood circulation in the treated area, and helps transport muscle toxins to your lymph system. Since it began to be used hundreds of years ago, cupping has evolved with acupuncture and other traditional Chinese Medicine.
Practical Applications: Cupping
Cupping treatments come in a variety of forms and variations. Several kinds of cups are also available, such as silicone, glass, and plastic suction cups.
Glass is the most commonly utilized type. These are large, thick glass cups used for flash and fire cupping. A flame placed within the glass cup creates a vacuum, which is how glass cupping creates its suction. After that, the cup is applied to the skin. Usually, the flame warms the cup without being unpleasant or extremely hot. A deeper tissue effect occurs when the cups remain in place longer.
The technique known as flash cupping involves swiftly removing the cup from the skin and suctioning it again, either in the same location or slightly different. The enhancement of circulation is the primary advantage of cupping in this manner; a powerful suction is not required.
The type of cupping known as “wet cupping” involves piercing or cutting the skin before the procedure. Then, bleeding happens during the cupping procedure. A procedure opposite of this is “dry cupping.”
Silicone or suction cups are another kind of cup that can be used in a cupping procedure. Suction cups are made of hard plastic and, once in place, have a little pump attached to them to create suction. Since they are difficult to sterilize, silicone cups have typically taken their place.
Before being applied to the skin, silicone cups—which are made of soft silicone—are squeezed to produce suction. These cups may feel more comfortable against specific body areas because they are more flexible. These cups often have less suction than glass or plastic suction cups.
Practical Applications: Acupressure
14 meridians contain 361 pressure points. The points are interchangeable with acupuncture points.
For instance, Neiguan (P-6) pressure point is mostly used to alleviate nausea and vomiting. Raise your hand palm to find it. Put your thumb in the middle of the joint where your hand and wrist connect. Drag your thumb in the direction of the elbow two-finger widths. You must be able to sense the spot as you exert pressure because it is situated between two sizable tendons.
Other often utilized pressure sites include:
- Applying Lie Que (LU-7) on the wrist’s thumb side may stimulate the immune system.
- When treating fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, use Qu Chi (LI-11) on the elbow.
- Below the knee, Zu San Li (ST-36) is used for constipation, acid reflux, and appetite loss.
- Wearing He Gu (LI-4) in the hand can help lessen headaches, menstrual pain, and the negative effects of chemotherapy. Lower back discomfort is treated with Shen Shu (UB-23) applied to the lower back.
- Liang Qiu (ST-34) above the knee can alleviate pain from osteoarthritis.
Conclusion
For a very long time, cupping has been used as a traditional therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine. One of the best parts of receiving acupuncture therapy is cupping. It can be helpful for a variety of problems.
Cupping treatment is useful for releasing tense and stiff muscles. It also enhances circulation and reduces pain throughout the body. In addition to treating acupuncture, it may also be employed to treat several other illnesses, including migraines, headaches, and high blood pressure in some situations.
Even though they can occasionally be unattractive, the side effects are extremely moderate, bearable, and typically pass after a day or two. Overall, the experience is rather comfortable, and you will enjoy having cupping therapy in addition to your acupuncture treatments. Talk to your acupuncturist at your next session if you want to try the cupping method yourself.
