Cupping
The specific origin of Cupping Therapy remains in obscurity - the
consensus is that the action of suction has been part of therapeutic
efforts throughout human history, migrating with human tribes along
migratory routes.
These ancient cultures used hollowed out animal horns, bones, bamboo,
nuts, seashells and gourds to purge bites, pustules, infections and skin
lesions from the body. Earthenware and metal were fashioned into Cupping
vessels before the development of glass.
The earliest recorded use of Cupping is from the famous Taoist alchemist
and herbalist, Ge Hong (281–341 A.D.). In ancient Greece, Hippocrates
recommended the use of cups for a variety of ailments, while in the early
1900’s eminent British physician, Sir Arthur Keith, wrote how he witnessed
Cupping performed with excellent success.
In China, extensive research has been carried out on Cupping, and the
practice is a mainstay of government-sponsored hospitals of Traditional
Chinese medicine (TCM). The fundamental therapeutic value of Cupping has
been documented through several thousand years of clinical and subjective
experience and has advanced its application to many areas.
In my clinic, I use cupping to relieve the stagnation and pain of muscle
injury and to speed recovery time. I use glass cups which are washed and
then autoclaved to prevent cross-contamination between patients.
Here's an excellent article on cupping in Chinese Medicine that explains the technique and the history. Clicking on the link will open the PDF in a new window
Cupping: An Introduction
And not to be outdone, CBS News in 2007 stated "Cupping takes away Pain"
