Dry Cupping

Dry Cupping or simple cupping is the application of suction cups to specific points on the body. The skin is intact and the idea is draw underlying blood and fluid away from the site of inflammation. 

This method relieves congestion from the inflamed areas, but does not remove fluid from the body. In addition, the cup can be placed against specific skin zones - reflex zones, usually on the back, abdomen or legs. Stimulating these zones by drawing blood flow to them in turn stimulates the tissues and internal organs to which the zones are believed to correspond. Also, the negative pressure inside the cups create minor bruising,this triggers the immune system which must respond to the injury, therefore promoting healing. 

There are three forms of dry cupping 

1. Momentary (Flash or Quick) Cupping

This method involves applying the cups to the selected points and also immediately releasing them. A medium/strong negative pressure, and this process needs to repeated many times to achieve a response. 

2. Retained Cupping

This method involves retaining a cup at select point for 1-10 mins before removing - and is dependant on three different negative pressures - Weak, Medium and Strong. 

3. Sliding Cupping 

The treatment has some relation to a certain massage technique. It combines two different methods of treatment : cupping and Guasha(scrapping). Where the cups are moved about over the surface of the skin under negative pressure thus moving skin and muscle tone. This method is good for muscle atrophy,promotes local blood circulation that helps supply oxygen, hormones and essential enzymes to the local tissues and joints.