New research shows that an ancient therapy can significantly decrease pain. Cupping, a close cousin of acupuncture, involves placing glass cups on your body (on either the affected area or the acupuncture points used to treat it) to create suction. While it may sound odd, cupping reduced chronic neck pain by an average of 45% among people in a 2011 study from the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. Here are the details:
[sidebar]Why it works
The suction caused by cupping is meant to free up and balance the flow of qi (pronounced CHEE), or life energy, in the body, says Bryn Clark, a licensed acupuncturist and diplomate of Oriental medicine. It also seems to improve blood circulation.
How it's done
The practitioner may create suction either by using a flame to burn the oxygen from the cup and then applying the cup to your skin or by placing the cup on you first and then removing the air through a valve. Any bruises that result clear up within 5 to 10 days.
Who can benefit
Practitioners have traditionally treated many ailments with cupping therapy. Clark uses it—often along with acupuncture—to treat pain, colds and sinus problems, high blood pressure, asthma, hot flashes, arthritis, painful or irregular periods, and more.
Find a practitioner by searching the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine's directory at nccaom.org
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Original article and pictures take www.prevention.com site
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