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Cupping
Cupping therapy is an ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice that involves suctioning or vacuuming sections of the body. Cupping is one of the core TCM methods that our Hong Kong clinic offers.
About Cupping
Cupping therapy is an ancient technique of healing. It is performed by applying cups to selected skin points and creating a sub-atmospheric pressure, either by heat or by suction.
Cupping is widely used as a TCM treatment, but it was also part of numerous ancient healing systems. It has been a popular historical treatment in Arabic and Islamic countries. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates has also compiled extensive descriptions of the cupping application.
For thousands of years, Chinese Medicine practitioners have been using cupping therapy to move Blood and Qi, remove Cold pathogens as well as Heat pathogens and eliminate any stagnation in the body. Based on modern days’ researches, it is found that the subatmospheric pressure suction of cupping therapy promote peripheral blood circulation and improve immunity. There is also converging evidence indicating that cupping can induce comfort and relaxation on a systemic level, which may increase endogenous opioid production in the brain and leads to improved pain control.
Although the actual mechanism of cupping is not fully understood. Researches indicated that cupping may improve microcirculation, promote capillary endothelial cell repair, accelerate granulation and angiogenesis in the regional tissues. It also improve subcutaneous blood flow and to stimulate the autonomic nervous system. In the cupped region, blood vessels are dilated by the action of certain vasodilators, it helps to improve blood circulation, expedite the removal of toxin or noxine material from body tissue, and promote fluid and lymph drainage.
Cupping is most commonly performed in conjunction with acupuncture for local pain relief, such as headaches, neck pain. Professional therapist will also extend it for wider usage, like treating insomnia, anxiety and specific disease. In a cupping session, cups rest on the skin for 3–10 minutes and often leave darkened circles on their skin. The darkened circle will normally subsided within 1 week. For people who has concern on the dark circle, alternative ways of application may be used to achieve similar result without leaving a mark.
[1] Aboushanab TS, AlSanad S. Cupping therapy: an overview from a modern medicine perspective. Journal of acupuncture and meridian studies. 2018 Jun 1;11(3):83-7.
[2] Al-Bedah AM, Elsubai IS, Qureshi NA, Aboushanab TS, Ali GI, El-Olemy AT, Khalil AA, Khalil MK, Alqaed MS. The medical perspective of cupping therapy: Effects and mechanisms of action. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine. 2019 Apr 1;9(2):90-7.
What Does It Treat?
Cupping therapy has been reported to be used in many conditions with different level of efficacy, such as cough, asthma, acne, common cold, urticaria, facial paralysis, cervical spondylosis, soft tissue injury, arthritis and neuro-dermatitis.
In our clinical practice, cupping is found to be effective in releasing symptoms that are associated with blockages, e.g. various type of pain (including headache, arthritis, and fibromyalgia), numbness, stagnant lymph, edema and poor circulation. For some of the clients, cupping also help to improve their poorly nourished skin and various skin conditions. Clients with high stress level also reported that cupping has a positive effect in easing their stress, improving their sleeping quality, and lowering their level of anxiety.
What to expect?
In a cupping session, cups with sub-atmospheric suction are placed on the skin of treatment receivers for 3–10 minutes and often leave darkened circles on their skin. The darkened circle will normally subsided within 1 week. The color of these cupping mark For people who has concern on the dark circle, alternative ways of application may be used to achieve similar result without leaving a mark. (What do your cupping color tells you?)
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Practitioners
Michelle Zhang
appt@balancehealth.com.hk
+852 2530 3315Michelle is trained as a typical TCM doctor.
During her practice, she finds her passion in searching the connection between mind and body. She begins her journey in studying psychotherapy, hoping to explore the possibilities to integrate it with TCM. She has an open mind, and she regards herself as a companion to her patients to grow together.
Clara Chan
appt@balancehealth.com.hk +852 2530 3315Clara Chan is a master on the different areas of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
She has helped a lot of client in their fertility journey. In the recent pandemic situation, Clara Chan has also used her knowledge in TCM to help patients with covid and long-covid conditions.
Grace Yu
appt@balancehealth.com.hk +852 2530 3315Grace Yu Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Grace is a registered Traditional Chinese medicine practicioner with a holistic approach.
She studied craniosacral resonance therapy in Taiwan in 2013. From then on, she had a broader vision on healing and started
having a deeper understanding of the world outside and inside of the human body.
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James Gannaban
“Michelle has a beautiful, calm presence. I left feeling both rested and energised.”
I consulted with Michelle about chronic pain on my left shoulder. I originally came, expecting an in-and-out cupping treatment. However the consultation was a lot more thorough, starting off with a body type analysis, followed by very specific questions about my lifestyle. I felt that Michelle took Read More
Avey Cortes
“Michelle approaches with curiosity, warmth and made me feel comfortable immediately”
During the cupping and acupuncture session she was very detailed and again made me feel comfortable with her thorough guidance. She also recommended some Chinese herbs to help with my sleep which is also a contributing factor to my injuries.
Ayu*** Gor**
I began receiving TCM treatments from Dr Grace Yu at Balance Health to recover and strengthen kidney, spleen, liver and Qi, through acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion and Chinese herbs…After a year, in October 2019, Dr Grace shared with me that all functions had improved compared Read More
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