The
Art of Cupping Therapy
By Fewzan Abdulhafize Feb 05, 2018
Chapter
1: Cupping Therapy
Cupping is a type of treatment in which cups are placed on
different regions of the body to treat various types of malfunctions and
diseases.
There are two main types of cupping:
Dry Cupping and Wet Cupping.
- Dry Cupping:
The basic difference between the two is that dry cupping does not involve
the removal of blood. Cups are applied to the body to create suction,
which is used to treat muscle cramps, body insulation, etc.
- Wet Cupping:
This is considered the main (original) type of cupping and is recommended
by the Prophet. In wet cupping, cups are applied to regions associated
with specific diseases as assigned by a cupping therapist to extract
blood. This type of cupping is also known as Hijama.
The Procedure
Usually, the cup stays on the skin
for 5 to 15 minutes. First, you place the cup on the assigned area;
after the blood accumulates, the area swells and turns red or purple. We then
take the cup off and make small incisions (cuts) within the circle made by the
cup. The cup is reapplied for another 5 to 15 minutes. Afterward, the cup is
removed, the blood is cleaned away, and alcohol or a natural cleaner is applied
to the area.
Types
of Cups
Cupping can be classified into five
categories based on the material of the cups:
- Glass
- Plastic
- Bamboo
- Horn/Copper
- Bronze
The most modern and frequently used
is the plastic type, which works using basic physics and pressure. These
cups have a handle (pump) that sucks the air out to create suction on the body.
Glass and bamboo cups work using the same theory, but fire is used to
create the vacuum needed for suction.
History
of Cupping
Cupping has gained significant
publicity in modern times. It is becoming increasingly popular as people come
to understand its benefits and apply it to their daily lives.
However, cupping is not a new
practice; its history goes back to ancient times in China, Iran, the Middle
East, and 11th-century Finland.
- Islamic Tradition:
Cupping is directly recommended by the Prophet Muhammad, who is said to
have practiced cupping therapy for himself. Hence, it is well-practiced
within the Islamic community.
- Ancient Greece:
The Greek physician and mathematician Hippocrates (460–370 BC) used
cupping to treat internal diseases and structural problems.
The
Spinal Cord and Energy Systems
If you are familiar with cupping,
you may have noticed it is most often performed on the head and the back.
This is because the back is one of the safest regions for treatment.
Furthermore, it is where the spine is located.
The spine, which is an
extension of the mind (central nervous system), is responsible for much of the
communication within the body. It is the main part of the nervous system—or
energy system—and everything in the body receives its commands through this
system.
Shutterstock
I would also like to mention the Chakra
System, which describes the spiritual awakening of a person. This system
basically determines the state of being or the energy state a person is in.
There are seven main chakras; five of these are located along the spine,
and the other two are located on the head. This highlights the importance of
the spine and head in cupping therapy.
