| Just as it is important to know what medical | | | | removed and the cup is immediately applied to |
| treatments will be most beneficial to treating your | | | | the designated acupuncture point on the skin. |
| fibromyalgia symptoms, it is equally important to | | | | - Four-six cups are applied during a session and |
| know what alternative therapies can offer you | | | | are not left on the skin for longer than fifteen |
| relief. Why? Unlike medications, the vast majority | | | | minutes. |
| of alternative therapies do not cause negative | | | | Although a cupping session may sound painful, it is |
| side effects. | | | | nothing of the sort. In fact, usually the only thing |
| There are different alternative remedies that | | | | a person feels is a slight suction where each cup |
| have effectively alleviated pain in some | | | | is placed. After a session, you may have circular |
| fibromyalgia sufferers. One such therapy that has | | | | red marks on your skin from the cups. These red |
| become a popular treatment for fibromyalgia | | | | marks will fade and are a sign that the cupping |
| sufferers is known as cupping therapy. | | | | therapy has successfully increased the blood flow |
| What is cupping therapy? Cupping therapy is an | | | | within your body. |
| adapted form of traditional Chinese medicine that | | | | How does cupping benefit fibromyalgia? After |
| involves applying glass cups to the skin to help | | | | each session, patients usually report feeling deeply |
| alleviate pain, expel toxins, and restore proper | | | | relaxed, and their specific target cupping areas |
| circulation to the body. Each glass cup acts as a | | | | feel light and agile. This is due to the fact that |
| vacuum through the use of heat or a suction | | | | cupping works to improve circulation, helps release |
| pump. The cups are positioned on a variety of | | | | toxins form the body, and promotes quicker |
| specific trigger points (the same as those used in | | | | healing of muscles, tendons and ligaments. |
| acupuncture) on the body, and are typically left on | | | | Other benefits reported by fibromyalgia sufferers |
| the body for ten - fifteen minutes. | | | | include: |
| There are two main types of cupping therapy | | | | - Relief from pain or stiffness in the muscles and |
| used: | | | | tissues |
| 1. Massage cupping - During treatment, the glass | | | | - Reduction of painful trigger points |
| cups are moved in a massage pattern around the | | | | - Improves flexibility in muscles and overall range |
| skin to help massage sore joints and muscles. | | | | of motion |
| 2. Stationary cupping - During treatment, glass | | | | - Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety |
| cups are applied to the skin and not moved until | | | | - Relieves stress |
| the end of the session. | | | | Cupping is a safe treatment for fibromyalgia |
| How is a cupping session performed? | | | | sufferers as it does not aggravate their condition. |
| A cupping session is generally performed using the | | | | You should not perform cupping treatment on |
| following tools: glass cups, cotton balls, rubbing | | | | your own, nor should you let a person not |
| alcohol, candles and matches. Each of these tools | | | | qualified. If you are interested in finding a cupping |
| is applied during a session as follows: | | | | therapist, the best place to start your search is at |
| - A cotton ball is soaked in alcohol and lit on fire | | | | local spas or holistic treatment centers. It's also a |
| by a burning candle | | | | good idea to ask your massage therapist about |
| - A vacuum is created inside a glass cup by | | | | cupping therapy. If you don't have a massage |
| holding the lit cotton ball inside the cup. | | | | therapist, try searching online by using your city |
| - Once the vacuum is created the cotton ball is | | | | and "cupping therapy" as the main keywords. |