methuselah proposition

compiled by bob ray | january 1, 2023

EDITED BY: ARIEL

Usually, this is not something you do for yourself, although you could. All you need are needles and an acupuncture meridian map. There are community acupuncture clinics that charge about half the private rate. I like to go about once per week for various pains.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. Increasingly, it is being used for overall wellness, including stress management.

Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as chi or qi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.

In contrast, many Western practitioners view acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue. Some believe that this stimulation boosts your body's natural painkillers.

Cupping

People have used cupping for thousands of years to ease back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other problems. Cupping therapy involves creating a suction force to pull blood into the skin. Cupping causes bruising and can lead to a skin infection. While research on the benefits of cupping is scarce, the treatment risks are low. This is something you can do for yourself on a certain parts of the body. I use cupping on my shoulder. But to do my back, I would need a helper.

OVERVIEW

What is cupping?

Cupping is an ancient healing therapy that some people use to ease the pain. A provider places cups on your back, stomach, arms, legs, or other parts of your body. Inside the cup, a vacuum or suction force pulls the skin upward.

Cupping is a form of traditional Chinese and Middle Eastern medicine. People have practiced cupping therapy for thousands of years.

How does cupping work?

Experts are still exploring how cupping eases pain and disease symptoms. There isn’t a lot of research on the therapy.

Suction from cupping draws fluid into the treated area. This suction force expands and breaks open tiny blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin. Your body treats the cupping area like an injury.

It sends more blood to the area to stimulate the natural healing process. Some people theorize that cupping clears the pores and releases toxins.

Who performs cupping?

A variety of professionals can receive training to perform cupping, including:

• Acupuncturists.
  
• Chiropractors.
  
• Massage therapists.
  
• Medical doctors.
  
• Physical therapists.
  

What does cupping treat?

People mostly use cupping to relieve conditions that cause pain. Some people say it also helps with chronic (ongoing) health issues. Cupping may ease symptoms of:

• Arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis.
  
• Back pain, neck pain, knee pain, and shoulder pain.
  
• Breathing problems, such as asthma.
  
• Carpal tunnel syndrome.
  
• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel disease (IBD).
  
• Headaches and migraines.
  
• High blood pressure (hypertension).
  

What are the types of cups?

Most providers use glass or plastic cups, but cups may be:

• Bamboo.
  
• Ceramic.
  
• Metal.
  
• Silicone.
  

PROCEDURE DETAILS

How is cupping performed?

There are different ways to perform cupping. The steps vary slightly depending on the chosen method. Your provider will leave the cups in place for several minutes. Some treatments involve briefly moving the cups to stretch and massage the area.

Depending on the treatment, your provider may place multiple cups on your skin. Cupping methods include:

What should I expect after cupping?

The suction force from cupping breaks opens tiny blood vessels under the skin. You will have round bruise-like marks that fade in a week or two.

RISKS & BENEFITS

Who shouldn’t get cupping?

What are the potential risks or complications of cupping?

Cupping is a relatively low-risk therapy. Still, you may experience:

• Burns from heated cups.
  
• Fatigue.
  
• Headaches.
  
• Muscle tension or soreness.
  
• Nausea.
  
• Skin infections, itching, or scarring.
  

Because researchers know little about cupping’s effects on pregnancy, moms-to-be shouldn’t get the therapy.

You should also forego cupping if you have:

• Bleeding disorders like hemophilia.
  
• Blood clotting problems, such as deep vein thrombosis or a history of strokes.
  
• Skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
  
• Seizures (epilepsy).
  

RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK

How effective is cupping?

There aren’t many high-quality studies about the effectiveness of cupping. And researchers don’t know a lot about why or how cupping might help people. Cupping may provide a placebo effect, meaning it helps because people believe it does.

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR

When should I call the doctor?

You should call your healthcare provider if you get cupping and experience:

• Burns.
  
• Extreme pain or soreness.
  
• Fever or other signs of skin infection (redness, tenderness, yellow discharge).
  

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Cupping therapy may help ease certain symptoms, such as pain. Not much is known about the therapy’s effectiveness, how it works or what conditions it treats. While cupping is relatively safe, you should talk to your healthcare provider before trying the therapy.

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copyright 2022 bob ray | edited by ariel