The positive effect of cups on the patient’s body is achieved as a result of the expansion of blood vessels due to the vacuum effect in the jar, which, in turn, activates metabolic processes in the skin.
Under the skin, blood flow significantly improves and inflammatory processes are relieved, and this directly affects the healing process and speeds it up.
But how to install jars at home? We will get the answer in this article.
Currently, the use of medical cups is not very widespread, as it was in Soviet times . Doctors do not have a consensus on the benefits of using this method, so some use it for treatment, while others have completely abandoned it.
The history of the use of cupping goes back far into the past; doctors used this method back in ancient China, where it originates. Due to its process, treatment with medical cups is also called vacuum therapy.
Types of medical cups
It is quite appropriate to ask why they put cans on their backs? Partially the answer was given above. The therapeutic effect of their use is achieved thanks to the vacuum.
A small container is suctioned to the patient’s skin, this stimulates the outflow of lymph and the movement of blood in the capillaries in tissues and organs.
Skin nutrition is normalized, pain is reduced, and the immune system is strengthened. Inflammatory processes can be eliminated much faster.
Massage in a similar way, which is widely used for recreational and therapeutic purposes, increases muscle tone, reduces pain, and improves the firmness and elasticity of the skin.
Today you can buy different types of medical jars at the pharmacy:
- Traditional glass . These are small vessels made of thick tempered glass. The volume of these cans is 70 ml. The edges are thicker so as not to damage the patient's skin. They are placed using an open fire. You also need long medical tweezers, on which you need to wrap cotton wool soaked in alcohol. When placing them, it is important to be especially attentive and careful, since with the slightest carelessness you can burn yourself or burn the patient.
- Polymer . Made from a material similar to very dense rubber. To install them, no additional tools are needed. There is no need to heat them up. These cans are simply placed by squeezing and applying to the desired location. Often used for cupping massage.
- Glass with rubber cylinder . They look like small glass vessels with tight edges, equipped with a rubber balloon. They need to be installed in the same way as polymer cans. The balloon is easily squeezed by hand and the can is applied to the desired location.
For all types of cans the principle of operation is identical. Therefore, the indications and contraindications for their use are also the same.
Indications and contraindications
Why do they put cans on their backs? Cupping, like other physiotherapy procedures, is prescribed only in cases of combating inflammatory processes. Therefore, their use at (high) temperatures is strictly prohibited.
For what diseases is this method indicated:
- For inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system: for bronchitis, for pneumonia, for cough, for pneumonia, in the resolution stage.
- For congestion in the lungs without high temperature and acute inflammatory process.
- For inflammatory diseases of muscles and nerve trunks.
- For pain and spasms of the back muscles, for headaches.
- To reduce pain in intercostal neuralgia, radiculitis, myositis.
- For diseases of the nervous system.
In folk medicine, many traditional healers place medical cups in the following cases:
- During shooting pain in the knee joint, cups are placed directly under the knee, due to which it is possible to completely get rid of the pain.
- If menstruation is delayed, it can be caused by placing cups on both heels.
- Painful sensations in the head and shoulder can be removed by placing several cans in the area between the shoulder blades.
- You can get rid of pain in the uterus and abdomen by placing one jar on your navel.
Contraindications
One of the reasons for the disapproval of traditional medicine towards treatment with a vacuum is unjustified self-medication . Unfortunately, most people view cupping as a completely harmless procedure that is beneficial for everyone.
However, even this seemingly harmless method of therapy has a number of quite serious contraindications. Therefore, before starting treatment using the vacuum technique, it will be useful to familiarize yourself not only with its advantages, but also with its contraindications.
Betting on banks is strictly prohibited when:
- high patient temperature;
- for inflammatory diseases in the acute stage;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- for oncological diseases;
- internal bleeding;
- with general exhaustion of the body;
- inflammatory processes and skin damage;
- if there are a large number of age spots, moles or warts at the places where the cups stop.
Is it possible to use cupping for pregnant women? Unfortunately, this procedure is strictly contraindicated for a pregnant woman. Why?
The fact is that a glass flask can increase the tone of the uterus and even cause a miscarriage. The vacuum effect created by the cups limits the supply of oxygen to the fetus and also disrupts the blood flow in the mother’s body.
Moreover, this method negatively affects the heart of a pregnant woman, as it increases the load on it and the fetus.
So, cupping during pregnancy is extremely dangerous, so a wise woman will not take risks.
Take all of the above contraindications of this technique seriously. The presence of even one of them is a good reason to cancel treatment with a vacuum.
Contraindications to the use of cupping on the back
A large number of beneficial properties from the use of cans does not exclude possible harm and side effects from them. It is prohibited to carry out the procedure:
- in case of neoplasms;
- for laryngitis, bronchitis, tracheitis in the acute phase;
- for skin diseases;
- if you have a tendency to allergies;
- with hormonal imbalances in the body;
- during pregnancy;
- children under 3 years old;
- with reduced blood clotting in the patient;
- Cups cannot be placed on the back when the patient’s body temperature is above 37.5 degrees;
- with high blood pressure and heart disorders;
- with imbalance and nervous excitability;
- with dystrophy;
- for tuberculosis;
- during exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- with pneumonia.
Preparation for the procedure
Of course, it is better to entrust your body to a knowledgeable and skilled person for cupping, since the procedure is not as simple as it may seem at first.
In order for the procedure to be as safe and effective as possible, you should know exactly how to correctly place the cups on your back.
Before starting the process, you will need to prepare the necessary materials. These include:
- medical banks;
- to construct a kind of wick, cotton wool is needed;
- a knitting needle or long tweezers on which you will need to wrap cotton wool;
- alcohol - for lighting the wick with cotton;
- a blanket or warm towel, since the procedure is intended to have a warming effect;
- Vaseline will protect your back from burns.
After preparing all the tools and materials, you can begin the process itself. However, before doing this, you should take into account some important nuances of the can installation procedure.
Where should I put the jars and how much? In case of inflammation of nerves and muscles, cups are placed directly on the painful area. For respiratory diseases, it is necessary to place it on your back: on the sides of the spine and under the shoulder blades.
In some cases, cans can be placed in front, but the following rules must be strictly observed:
- You can’t place jars on the left side (hot heat and vacuum will harm the heart);
- It is forbidden to place cups on women’s breasts, as they can contribute to the development of breast disease;
- in the place where you want to place the jars, shave off the hair if it grows there, otherwise the effect of the procedure will be significantly reduced.
An adult needs to place 10-16 cans, but everything depends directly on the area where they are placed. It is recommended for a child to put 6-8 pieces.
Do not forget that after the procedure, dark bruises often remain, which disappear only after 2-3 weeks.
What are the benefits of cupping on your back?
The beneficial properties of back cups are related to their principle of operation. By drawing in the skin, the jar is suctioned to the body, thereby increasing blood flow to the area and benefiting the diseased area. This property stimulates cellular renewal of the body, blood circulation and metabolism and reduces harm from negative environmental influences. In addition, placing cups on the back brings the following benefits to the body:
- Reducing pain and harm from chronic pain.
- The effects of back cupping include stimulation of internal organs. The human body is very complex. If you know the areas responsible for specific organs, cupping can help reduce harm to health. The unique beneficial properties of these devices cannot be overestimated.
- It is useful to put jars on your back against a cold, this will also bring benefits. This will help improve immunity and improve blood circulation. Such benefits for a sick body are invaluable.
Attention! The procedure for installing medicinal cups on the back, along with the benefits, can also cause harm. Therefore, before using this useful method, it is necessary to consult with your doctor about the advisability of using them and preventing possible harm.
Technology
So, about 15 dry, clean jars with smooth, intact edges are placed next to the patient.
Is it possible to place cups on the chest? On the lower back and chest - you can. Let us remind you that it is forbidden to place them on the shoulder blades, spine, breasts in women and the heart area.
In order to ensure a tight fit of the jar and prevent skin burns, it is necessary to lubricate the surface of the body with Vaseline.
How to install medical cups? Wrap cotton wool tightly around a metal rod (its length should be around 12-15 cm) (be sure to check how tightly it holds), moisten it with alcohol, lightly squeeze out the excess alcohol, and close the bottle with alcohol.
Then light a swab moistened with alcohol and take it in your right hand. Take the jar in your left hand and very quickly (within 1-2 seconds) insert a burning wick into it, without touching the neck of the jar.
Next, quickly place the can against your body, pressing it slightly. If the cup is placed well, it holds perfectly, the skin under it is retracted by 1-3 cm and it becomes purple or bright red in color, and a bruise occurs.
This is exactly how you need to put 15 cans and cover the patient well. How many minutes should you leave the jars on? The procedure usually lasts no more than 15-20 minutes.
To easily remove the cans, you need to tilt it slightly to the side with one hand, and press on the skin with the fingers of the other hand on the opposite side.
At the end of the procedure, Vaseline should be wiped off the skin with a gauze pad or cotton swab . Then it is important to cover the patient with a warm blanket and leave him lying for at least 30 minutes.
Extreme caution is required during the procedure, since getting one drop of burning alcohol on the skin or overheated edges can cause burns.
In addition, if the jars are overexposed, not only purple spots may appear on the skin, but also bubbles filled with pink transparent liquid.
How often can you put cans on your back? For the best result of therapy, at least 4 procedures will be required.
Features of the procedure in children
At what age can a child have cupping? Because cups produce intense heat, they can be dangerous for infants.
Therefore, age under 3 years is also a contraindication for such a procedure.
For a child, the procedure should last no more than 6-10 minutes, but if the baby experiences painful or unpleasant sensations, the vessels must be removed immediately.
What is forbidden to do when placing cans:
- Resort to this procedure in the presence of the above contraindications.
- Give cups to young children and elderly people with weak immune systems and heart disease.
- Use containers with chips and cracks.
- Use gasoline, acetone and other flammable substances as flammable substances.
- Carry out the procedure for more than 20 minutes.
Cupping therapy for a child - Doctor Komarovsky
Do they use cups for coughs?
Doctors advise using such treatment methods only if a person suffers from sputum discharge. If he has an exclusively dry cough, then the cupping procedure will have no effect. If there is no sputum, this indicates that the patient is suffering from a cold. By and large, this is a contraindication to such procedures.
If we are talking about sputum discharge, then in this case cupping for cough can be used as the main method of treatment. As a rule, a significant improvement in a person’s condition is observed within a few days after the procedure. At the same time, he does not need to take medications that have a negative effect on the body.
Advantages of polymer cans
In order to install polymer jars, you do not need fire, which means a wick and a burner. They can be easily installed by simply squeezing the balloon.
In addition, polymer jars have less blood suction power than ordinary glass jars. Consequently, the red spots on the back will be barely noticeable. Polymer cups are very practical for carrying out such a procedure not only on the back, but also on other parts of the body.
So, many have come to the conclusion that cupping treatment is very effective. Despite the fact that the benefits and harms of using medical cups have not yet been conclusively proven, self-medication can lead to unexpected results.
It is wise to consult with a specialist about your overall health, as the presence of certain diseases can aggravate the situation, causing even greater harm to your health. Therefore, in order to avoid irreparable consequences, it is forbidden to use cups without a doctor’s recommendation .
