If you’re like most people, you’re always on the lookout for the next big thing in weight loss. And the next big thing just might be something called cupping.
Maybe you’ve seen those circular bruises on Olympic athletes like Michael Phelps or celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and wondered what they were. They are from cupping.
Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions. It is now an increasingly popular form of alternative therapy treatment.
If you’re looking for a new and effective way to lose weight, then you should definitely give cupping a try. Keep reading to learn more about the surprising benefits of cupping for weight loss!
What is Cupping?
Cupping is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves placing heated cups on the surface of the skin to create suction. This suction pulls the skin and underlying tissues upward into the cup. This increases the blood flow and facilitates the delivery of fresh blood to the area.
Originally, cupping was used to complement traditional Chinese surgery and to treat boils. Over time it was found to be effective in treating other diseases.
Cupping is most often used on the back, but it can also be done on the face, neck, arms, and legs. The first cups were likely animal horns, but now they are usually glass cups, and can also be made of ceramic, silicone, or plastic.
Types of Cupping
There are four main types of cupping:
Dry Cupping
Dry cupping, also known as fire cupping, is the most common type and involves putting the cups on the skin without any liquid. The practitioner places a cup over acupressure points along meridian channels. Energy flows through these invisible channels. The cups remain in place for anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes.
Sliding Cupping
Instead of the cup staying in one spot, massage oil is applied to the skin and the cups slide along the skin. This type of cupping is more often used on large muscle groups such as the back.
Air Cupping
Air cupping has a vacuum effect on the treated area. Instead of using heat, air cupping uses a suction pump to remove the air from the cups.
Wet Cupping
Wet cupping also involves putting cups on the skin, but the therapist will make a small cut on the person’s skin before doing so. This is supposed to help the blood to flow from that area.
The Benefits of Cupping for Weight Loss
Cupping is said to offer a host of health benefits, including weight loss. The theory is that cupping helps to reduce fat, expel toxins from the body, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation, all of which can help with weight loss.
1. Reduce Fat and Cellulite
Recent research suggests that cupping may help you with fat loss, probably one of the most important goals of losing weight. One pilot study concluded that dry sliding cupping successfully helped to reduce cellulite. The researchers found that fat, especially fat in cellulite, drained into lymphatic capillaries.
If you are looking to reduce belly fat, cupping may also be an answer for you. A study found that cupping treatment lowered the thickness of the subcutaneous fat in the abdomen compared to a control group.
2. Increase Metabolism
Cupping can be an effective treatment for a sluggish metabolism which makes it hard to lose weight. The suction from cupping helps to improve blood circulation and lymphatic flow, which can in turn help to improve your metabolism.
Cupping also helps the body to get rid of toxins which will also improve your metabolic rate. And the good news is that the removal of toxins also leads to body fat reduction. If you’re looking for a natural way to boost your metabolism and increase the rate you burn calories, cupping is definitely worth a try
3. Curb Appetite
Another benefit of cupping for weight loss is appetite control. Your cupping practitioner can target the pressure point behind your ears to release endorphins, the feel-good hormones, which can help with appetite control. If you currently struggle with your weight, you know how devastating cravings can be to your waistline.
4. Aid Digestion
An efficient digestion system will boost your weight loss. Cupping therapy is said to improve digestion by helping your body break down food more efficiently and help to speed up the movement of food through your digestive system. This means that cupping can not only help to improve your digestion but your bowel movements as well. And consequently your weight loss journey.
5. Reduce Water Retention
Your weight can flute by as much as two to four pounds due to water retention. However, cupping can get rid of excess water in the connective tissue. Water retention can cause bloating especially in the stomach, legs, and arms. However, the good news is that reducing water retention is another benefit of cupping for weight loss.
6. Reduce Stress
Cupping has been used for centuries to help people reduce stress and anxiety. And as you may know, there is a link between stress and weight gain.
When we’re stressed, our bodies release the hormone cortisol, which can increase our appetites. This can lead us to crave high-calorie, sugary foods that give us a quick burst of energy. But when you reduce your stress, like cupping therapy, you lower your cortisol levels and avoid unhealthy cravings.
7. Muscle Pain Relief
Finally, cupping can help relieve muscle pain. So many of us experience sore muscles when we exercise, especially if we are beginners or returning to exercise after years of a sedentary lifestyle.
Cupping can reduce your pain and therefore you are more likely to continue exercising and boosting your weight loss.
The Other Health Benefits of Cupping Therapy
Cupping helps to improve the circulatory system, loosen muscle tension, relieve chronic pain, boost the immune system, help the nervous system, and reduce inflammation.
In addition to weight loss, cupping is used to treat a whole host of health problems including:
- Lower back pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Knee pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Headaches and migraines
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Acne
- High blood pressure
- Shingles
- Facial paralysis
If you’re looking for a new way to improve your health, cupping could be worth a try.
Getting Started with Cupping for Weight Loss
If you’re thinking about trying cupping for weight loss, there are a few things you should know.
Find a Qualified Practioner
It’s important to find a qualified cupping therapist who can safely and effectively use cupping for weight loss. There are a lot of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners who claim to be experts in cupping, but not all of them are properly trained.
Look for a practitioner who has completed a certified cupping course and has experience treating patients. Ask the practitioner for references from past clients. Also, be sure to visit the practitioner’s office to see if it is clean and professional.
You May Bruise
Cupping is considered safe, but is not necessarily comfortable – you may experience some discomfort during and after the treatment. You will get the tell-tale red cup marks from your cupping session but they will disappear in a few days. Cupping can sometimes cause bruising, so it’s important to be aware of these side effects before you begin.
Be Patient
Cupping is not a quick fix – it’s something that you’ll need to commit to several sessions in order to see results. The number of sessions needed varies from person to person. However, some people see results after 5-6 sessions.
Talk to Your Doctor
Cupping can be a great way to improve your health and well-being, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re interested in trying cupping for weight loss, talk to your doctor or a certified practitioner. They can help you determine if cupping is right for you.
Cupping is not recommended for pregnant women, people on blood thinners, or people with certain skin conditions.
Diet and Exercise are Still Important
Finally, cupping is not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise – it’s meant to be used in addition to these things for weight problems.
Will You Try Cupping for Weight Loss?
Cupping is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that uses suction to lift and separate the skin from the underlying tissue. In recent years, many people swear by the benefits of cupping for many conditions, including weight reduction.
Cupping helps to break up fat cells and cellulite, making them easier to eliminate from the body. Cupping also helps to improve circulation and boost the metabolism, both of which can lead to weight loss.
Furthermore, cupping is thought to help with weight loss by stimulating the lymphatic system, which helps remove toxins from the body. The therapy is also said to improve digestion and help relieve stress.
So, if you’re looking to lose weight, cupping may be a treatment worth considering in addition to a proper diet plan and regular exercise program. This form of alternative medicine could also improve your overall health. So why not give cupping a try?
