Do you remember the 2016 Rio Olympics when there was a fuss over Michael's purple dots that were across his body? Well, the purples dots on his back was because he tried Chinese medicine specifically, the cupping therapy.
Therefore, today was really exciting because I tried the cupping therapy along with acupuncture with the purpose of treating my stress and my hormone imbalance. It was a whole new experience which I really liked. First, Dr. Melanie did acupuncture. Again, with acupuncture felt immediately relaxed and in a good mood.
Then, after she did acupuncture, she started to realize the cupping therapy. She explained to me that she uses plastic cupping cups, instead of the traditional cupping glasses which are made of glass because sometimes the cups can get off the body and fall to the ground causing the cups to break. She also uses an electrical pump to create suction. She does not use heat. The purpose of the cupping is to stimulate the blood flow, which will eventually make the body heal itself. It is very helpful for muscle sores, muscle spasms, neck and back pain. That is why many athletes try the cupping therapy (Click here if you want to know more about cupping).
The suction of the cups wasn't painful. However, I did feel as if I was being suctioned as if my whole back was being tugged on, and I also felt a tingling sensation.
Here is a short video of my cupping therapy:
And some photos...
When she finished putting the cups, she turned the lights off, and she put the heat lamp over my back. She left me with the cups for about 10 minutes because it is dangerous to leave the cups for a long time since it can make the skin necrotic (death skin). There were one or two occasions where the cups fell on the ground and Dr. Melanie had to put me again.
When she removed the cups, she made me massages on my back and neck, which I thought it was the most delicious and relaxing thing on earth. I felt calmer and much less tensioned. I also felt that my body acquired a better posture, and now after 3 hours after the treatment, I can feel my blood circulating throughout my back. I do feel that my skin is sensitive, and my back looks scary, just like Michael Phelps's back, but somehow, I was expecting to have purple dots on my back after the treatment.
From my experience, I can tell you that even though it sound painful, it does not hurt and you can instantly feel the effects of cupping since once they take out the cups you will feel less tensioned and relaxed. So, I can totally recommend this treatment for people that have back and neck pains (which is something very common in humans nowadays). Dr. Melanie also told me that this therapy is highly recommended for people that have facial paralysis.
It is a shame that many people that have neck or back pains, sore muscles or muscle spasms do not know about the cupping therapy or what is even worse, they do not believe in this therapy. If they treat themselves with cupping, I can assure that they will feel better and even renewed. However, it certainly depends on the person.
