What to anticipate during Cupping Therapy
what to expect during Cupping Session
Each body massage or manipulation method has its own signature technique. Where some methods have gentle touch and smooth movement on the skin surface, other techniques require stronger pressure or even ‘digging’ techniques on the skin’s surface. All massage techniques are designed to encourage lymphatic drainage and blood circulation, undo muscular tension and bring a sense of well-being and relaxation to the recipient.
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| cupping therapy |
With cupping therapy, however, the unique feeling is one of a ‘pulling’ sensation on the skin surface where the cup is actually engaged.
During a cupping session, healthy skin is expected to react by becoming warm and turning a slightly pinkish-red colour. Therefore, the skin’s reaction also becomes an important part of the diagnosis process!
If the colour of the skin remains unchanged, this could be an indication of poor blood circulation or a cold pattern present at the treatment location.The significance of skin colour changes during a cupping session is explained in the following section. Under normal circumstances, the patient should not experience any pain at all, but rather a mild, medium or strong pulling sensation (depending on the type of treatment method being employed). Post-treatment, most patients report a sense of warmth, relaxation and uplifting. Feeling light-headed is also quite common. This is due to an increased blood flow to the brain.
Therefore, following a cupping session, it is considered good practice to allow a few minutes’ rest and a warm drink before the patient leaves the clinic.
What does the colours of Cupping mean?
Typically, on the first and second sessions of the cupping treatment, it is quite normal to see skin colour (pink or red cupping marks) appearing on the cupped location. These cupping marks usually clear within ten days. However, depending on the skin type, dark red or purple cupping marks could take up to two weeks or longer to clear completely. Sometimes longer if the person is very sick or sedentary. If there is no stagnation present, there will be only pink marking.
How to interpret the colour of the cupping marks diagnostically is explained in the image below:
- Pink to light red: This is the expected colour for healthy skin to appear immediately following the treatment. This shows good blood supply and circulation at the treatment location. This shows healthy blood circulation.
- Bright red: Bright red cupping marks on the first and the second visit are considered normal cupping marks. However, longer-lasting (more than a week) bright red cupping marks may indicate a possible inflammation or some level of blood stagnation. As per studies, long-lasting bright red skin colour at the site of cupping indicates blood stagnation. This is often seen during the treatment of chronic muscular tension, tightness, trauma or sports injuries.
- Dull red: It’s majorly an indication of a chronic injury or a blow to the location.
Dark red or purple: Dark red or purple cupping marks are a sign of a chronic blood stagnation or toxin build-up at the treatment site. dark red purple colour during hijama
This is the aspect of cupping therapy most disliked by patients. As the treatment progresses, however, the intensity of the colour is reduced. This also suggests a reduction of the blood stasis or elimination of toxins, leading to a normal blood flow and lighter cupping marks. Failure to adjust the cupping duration or intensity of the suction is the main cause of excessive blood flow to the skin tissue, which can cause dark red or purple skin colour or blisters to form on the skin. These extreme cupping therapy marks are sometimes referred to as extravagates or hematomas ( a solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues). Recent trauma is another factor. However, when these cupping therapy marks or hematomas are completely clear, there is rarely any permanent damage to the skin. Here I'm sharing the picture of my patient with dark red purple colour marks during hijama.
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| dark purple cupping marks |
- Pale: Pale skin colour at the treatment site could be an indication of poor blood supply, inadequate blood circulation or a cold pattern present at the treatment location. This is often seen in people working outdoors and complaining from lower back pain. Usually, cold and wind penetrate the skin into the deeper muscular layers, causing restriction in blood vessels and resulting in poor blood circulation that can lead to muscle spasm and pain. However, as the treatment progresses, the usual healthy pink-red skin colour should return (this may take between six and ten visits).
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| types of cupping marks |
Patients should be informed prior to their treatment of possible side effects during or after a Hijama session:
• Discoloration: This can occur on the skin after Hijama therapy, which can last around 10 days depending on its severity. This is quite normal and a harmless side effect.
• Dizziness: This can occur if the patient has low blood sugar (give patient water mixed with honey) / nervousness / Jinn related condition.
• Nausea: This is a common side effect during Hijama, but does not last long. Ensure a sick bag is available in case a patient needs to vomit.
• Tiredness: This usually occurs after the session and may last for 1-2 days. It is a very common side effect due to the body working hard and focusing its energy on the areas where Hijama was performed.
• Energy: Some patients get a burst of energy almost immediately after the session. If this occurs, patients should still rest and not over exert themselves as the body needs time to recuperate after the hijama session.
Note: Every patient is different and therefore not all will suffer from after effects of Wet Cupping or Massage Cupping. Every individual will have different types of cupping marks.
How much is a Cupping Session
The cupping session cost varies from therapist to therapist and their expenses over it. As far as i have seen most of the cupping therapists take the charges, per cup or per point which is being cupped. In Pakistan mostly the charges are around Rs 200 to Rs 300 per cup.
Personally I don't consider it to be the right process. In my practice, I have a fixed cupping session cost. Charges must be according to a session not by per cup. In this way patients will not have to count the number of points and then pay according to it. This is unprofessional according to my point of view.
Please Do Share your experiences!!!!!
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