Cupping therapy is a form of alternative medicine in which cups are placed on the skin to promote blood flow. A form of ancient medicine from China, Egypt and the Middle East, hijama in US is experiencing increased popularity. The use of cupping therapy has been traced back to 1550 BC, centuries before Moses' time. There is some evidence the practice began as early as 3000 BC. The cups may be made from bamboo, glass, or earthenware.
Considering this treatment has been around for more than five thousand years, western doctors are slow to embrace it. That said, the Prophet Muhammad is reported to have spoken highly of it. Today, it has been tried in a variety of conditions, including facial paralysis, cervical disk degeneration, and refractory viral infections.
The underlying mechanism proposed to be involved in its observed efficacy is that it removes toxic substances from the body. In the United Kingdom, people with an autoimmune disorder called Fibromyalgia are starting to request it. FM is a life-limiting condition and anything that relieves the suffering is worth a shot. It is also used in asthma, depression, anxiety, and migraine headaches.
In the USA, cupping is used to "cleanse" the heart, liver, and digestive system among other systems. It is in routine use for chronic pain, fatigue, lethargy, and mild cognitive impairment, or brain fog.
There is as yet limited scientific evidence in the form of clinical trials to back up the treatment, although it does exist. A clinical trial was conducted in Iran and reported in 2009 that wet-cupping was effective in patients with nonspecific low back pain. In a different study, 70 patients with chronic migraine and tension experienced up to 66 percent reduction in severity of headache pain following wet cup therapy.
The process begins with the application and ignition of a flammable substance to the inside of the cups. After the flames die down, the cups are turned upside down and applied to the surface of the patient's skin. The substance is usually alcohol, paper or specific herbs. A vacuum is established when the cups cool down, drawing a shallow dome of skin into the cups. As this happens, the blood vessels increase in caliber.
Some practitioners use a more modern technique of using a rubber or silicon pump to create the vacuum. Medical grade silicon cups are pliable enough that they can be moved around on the patient's skin to simulate a massage effect.
In wet cupping, a further step is added. When the cup is removed, the practitioner uses a specially designed scalpel to apply a several rows of minute scratches to the engorged skin. Once the incisions have been made, the cups are put back onto the skin in the same place. After a few minutes, blood begins to leach out of the open scratches and collects inside the cups. As the clinician removes the cups, he mops up the blood with a soft cloth. The cups are used once and then thrown away in the interest of health and safety. When they cups are taken off the skin and the pooled blood wiped away, the skin is treated with an antiseptic solution to remove all traces of blood and protect the skin from infection. The skin stops bleeding as soon as the cups are taken off. As gruesome as the procedure sounds, and looks to the casual observer, the patient feels very little discomfort and ends up feeling very relaxed and ready for a good nap.
Considering this treatment has been around for more than five thousand years, western doctors are slow to embrace it. That said, the Prophet Muhammad is reported to have spoken highly of it. Today, it has been tried in a variety of conditions, including facial paralysis, cervical disk degeneration, and refractory viral infections.
The underlying mechanism proposed to be involved in its observed efficacy is that it removes toxic substances from the body. In the United Kingdom, people with an autoimmune disorder called Fibromyalgia are starting to request it. FM is a life-limiting condition and anything that relieves the suffering is worth a shot. It is also used in asthma, depression, anxiety, and migraine headaches.
In the USA, cupping is used to "cleanse" the heart, liver, and digestive system among other systems. It is in routine use for chronic pain, fatigue, lethargy, and mild cognitive impairment, or brain fog.
There is as yet limited scientific evidence in the form of clinical trials to back up the treatment, although it does exist. A clinical trial was conducted in Iran and reported in 2009 that wet-cupping was effective in patients with nonspecific low back pain. In a different study, 70 patients with chronic migraine and tension experienced up to 66 percent reduction in severity of headache pain following wet cup therapy.
The process begins with the application and ignition of a flammable substance to the inside of the cups. After the flames die down, the cups are turned upside down and applied to the surface of the patient's skin. The substance is usually alcohol, paper or specific herbs. A vacuum is established when the cups cool down, drawing a shallow dome of skin into the cups. As this happens, the blood vessels increase in caliber.
Some practitioners use a more modern technique of using a rubber or silicon pump to create the vacuum. Medical grade silicon cups are pliable enough that they can be moved around on the patient's skin to simulate a massage effect.
In wet cupping, a further step is added. When the cup is removed, the practitioner uses a specially designed scalpel to apply a several rows of minute scratches to the engorged skin. Once the incisions have been made, the cups are put back onto the skin in the same place. After a few minutes, blood begins to leach out of the open scratches and collects inside the cups. As the clinician removes the cups, he mops up the blood with a soft cloth. The cups are used once and then thrown away in the interest of health and safety. When they cups are taken off the skin and the pooled blood wiped away, the skin is treated with an antiseptic solution to remove all traces of blood and protect the skin from infection. The skin stops bleeding as soon as the cups are taken off. As gruesome as the procedure sounds, and looks to the casual observer, the patient feels very little discomfort and ends up feeling very relaxed and ready for a good nap.
About the Author:
If you are looking for the facts about Hijama in US, pay a visit to our web pages online here today. Additional details are available at http://hijamasunnahcupping.com now.