SOHMA Integrative Medicine

We offer the best of Eastern & Western medicine without using drugs or surgery

Cupping Therapy

What are the Disadvantages of Cupping?

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Cupping therapy

Many athletes and celebrities have been seen with round marks down their backs. Cupping is an ancient form of therapy used for thousands of years. 

Benefits from Cupping therapy include pain reduction, reduced inflammation, relaxation, reduced anxiety, and overall well-being. Join me today as we dive into Cupping therapy and what, if any, disadvantages it has.

What is Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is a traditional medicine in which a cup is placed on the skin, and the air is pumped out. This will result in the soft tissue getting pulled into the cup, stretching the skin, fascia, and muscle tissues. This can promote blood circulation and aid in recovery. When the soft tissue is pulled and stretched into the cup, the body may respond with increased blood circulation in the treated area. The increase in blood flow may flush out stagnated toxins. This can have the additional benefit of reduced swelling, which can help manage pain and accelerate the body’s ability to recover naturally.

The importance of blood circulation must be recognized when it comes to recovery. Although we have dedicated organs to remove toxins and promote healing, they can sometimes be overwhelmed. Especially when constantly exposed to smoke, chemicals, and other toxins in our daily life.

Disadvantages of Cupping

Some patients find them embarrassing and often confused with bruising. Though they are not bruises as they don’t tend to hurt as bruising does. These round marks can provide insight into how effective the therapy is.

Side effects of Cupping are rare though some patients have reported feeling nausea, sweating, or dizziness. Mild soreness and minimal pain can be felt in the treated area. 

Cupping therapy is generally a safe practice though there are some exceptions. Patients with bleeding conditions such as hemophilia, blood clotting issues, or hemorrhages shouldn’t practice cupping. Patients who recently suffered cardiac arrests within the last 6 months should avoid Cupping therapy. Be sure to inform the helpful staff at SOHMA if you have any skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, as cupping can aggravate the skin in the treated area. 

What are The Round Marks

The round marks left behind after cupping can signify how well your therapy is going. A pale mark can indicate an imbalance in your circulation or that the area being treated isn’t functioning appropriately. Light red or pink marks typically mean this area has good blood circulation and is nearing the end of the therapy. Red marks often indicate a large accumulation of toxins, and you may be experiencing pain and other symptoms. This usually means treatment has just started. If the mark is dark red or nearly purple, it can signify that this body part needs the most attention.

The discoloration on the surface of your skin is temporary, and the round marks aren’t permanent. However, depending on the colors the cupping therapy produces can greatly change the time required for the marks to fade away. The lightest colors can often fade away after a few hours, while the darker marks may take up to two weeks to completely vanish.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

How Long Do Cupping Marks Last?

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Marks are signs that cupping therapy is working correctly.

What is cupping therapy and what are those round marks left behind afterwards?

Cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese medicine that in recent years has become a popular form of healing therapy used by many athletes and celebrities in the west. The cups are used to make negative pressure on the skin whether with fire or a pump. The skin, muscle, fascia and other soft tissue are then sucked into the cup causing vasodilation. This increases blood flow to the areas being treated. It’s been used to help recover from injury and pain by improving blood circulation.  Cupping can also help people suffering from mental health issues like insomnia and anxiety among other things. 

What are these round marks?

The marks left behind after a cupping session are often mistaken for bruises, this is not the case. These marks are not bruises however, they can be used to tell you a great deal about how far you’ve progressed in your treatment.

Meaning of Round Marks

The round marks left behind can let us know if your treatment is going well. Healthy blood circulation should result in a mild redness, it will signify that there is only a slight stagnation in the blood and there is overall good blood flow. When we begin to see marks resulting in this color, it’s likely that you are nearing the end of your treatment. If you still feel pain, perhaps you require another form of therapy like acupuncture or IV therapy.

If the resulting mark is pale or has no change, it can mean there is an imbalance in your circulation. This can also mean that a particular area is not functioning or performing properly.

Fair stagnation typically results in the round marks being pink or a light shade of red. Usually this means there is an accumulation of toxins near or around this area causing some pain. Blood flow is still good but you may still require some work to be done.

A red mark with dark spots shows that there is a large accumulation of toxins in the body. You may be experiencing pain and other symptoms. Don’t be alarmed, this just means you need more treatment.

Dark marks which have a purple color to them can mean there is severe stagnation of toxins. These are the parts of the body which require the most attention.

How Long Do The Marks Last?

Any discoloration of the surface of the skin is temporary, but depending on the range of colors produced by cupping will determine how long the marks will last. Typically, the lighter the color the quicker the mark will fade. The lightest colored marks such as light red or pink tend to fade a few hours after a cupping therapy session. The red cupping marks which signify a fair amount of stagnation will fade after a couple of days. The red marks with dark spots tend to take much longer to clear out but usually 3 days to a week. The deep red marks which can take as long as 2 weeks to completely fade.

These marks are normal after a cupping therapy session, and have nothing to worry about. Although many people will call them bruises, these marks don’t hurt. They are more along the line of a hickey, except performed by a specialist to help treat your ailments and pains.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

Can Cupping Help with Anxiety?

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Undergoing cupping therapy has additional benefits for both the body and mind.

In recent years the importance of mental health has been made clear. Every day more and more people are being diagnosed with some kind of mental health condition like anxiety. Today we want to share with you how cupping therapy can help reduce anxiety and alleviate some of the stress that comes with it.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety has many forms of manifesting itself and acts differently depending on each person. Everyone feels anxious from time to time. It is normal for most people to have feelings of anxiety, it is the brain’s way of reacting to things that can be stressful. It is meant to alert you if there is any potential danger near. It is okay to feel anxious before making important decisions, when facing difficult work problems, or for students about to take a difficult test.

When anxiety becomes a mental health disorder is when you feel the symptoms of anxiety more regularly and more intensely. Excessive and constant worry and fear about everyday situations. Higher heart rates, hyperventilating, tension, exhaustion, and sweating can occur. Often causing panic attacks. You should seek your primary care provider if you can not work, complete daily tasks, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or are abusing substances. It’s important for us to know the degree of anxiety to properly treat each individual patient.

What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy is a Chinese traditional medicine when a small vacuum is formed within a cup whether by heating the cup or using a pump and placed atop the skin. The vacuum formed then sucks the skin into the cup along with the fascia, muscle, and other soft tissues. The cupping process causes vasodilation, which increases blood circulation to the treated areas. Removing stagnant toxins and circulating fresh oxygenated blood to the affected area. 

When performed by a well-trained practitioner such as the ones staffed at SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach CA, the risks and side effects are minimal. The only thing left behind is round marks left by the cup which can give an insight into how well the therapy is working. Darker marks may require more treatment in that area than lighter marks.

Cupping Therapy and Mental Health

You may be wondering how getting your skin and soft tissue pulled into a cup can help with anxiety. Cupping therapy helps indirectly by activating your parasympathetic nervous system as the cups glide over your body. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for lowering your heart rate and helping with digestion. When active the parasympathetic nervous system produces a calm and relaxing feeling in your body and mind. This reaction can loosen tension in your body which may result in a reduction in stress and anxiety.

Additionally cupping therapy promotes better sleep quality by reducing pain and removing toxins from the body. Allowing for longer consistent sleep helps with mental and physical recovery. It is well documented that there is a correlation between the lack of sleep and people who are prone to suffering from anxiety. As well as people suffering from anxiety have a hard time staying asleep. Without the rejuvenating effects of a good night’s sleep, it is possible for people to spiral into an unhealthy cycle that can be dangerous for their mental health.

Is Cupping Therapy Right for You?

Cupping therapy is a safe practice although there are some exceptions. If you have bleeding disorders like Hemophilia or blood clotting issues like deep vein thrombosis. If you have a history of strokes or seizures you should ask about your condition before receiving cupping therapy. If you have skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema your skin may become irritated when having cupping therapy.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

Cupping Therapy and How it Can Help with Back and Neck Pain

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With athletes and celebrities popularizing Cupping Therapy in the mainstream, many people are beginning to ask more about what Cupping Therapy is and whether it can help them with their physical or mental problems. 

Cupping Therapy is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been around for thousands of years. In the west it is seen as a form of alternative medicine in which a cup is placed on the skin and air is pumped out of it. This will cause the soft tissue to get sucked into the cup, stretching the skin, muscle and fascia. Promoting circulation and aiding the recovery process.

You may be wondering how this is beneficial? Today we are going to talk about how this process helps with back pain and neck pain.

Increased Blood Circulation

Many people may not understand how important proper blood circulation is when it comes to recovery. As we need good circulation to remove toxins from our body and sometimes the organs designated to do this job need a little bit of help. Through no fault of our own sometimes our lifestyle will burden the lymphatic system just by living in a big city. Where we are constantly being exposed to smoke, chemicals and heavy metals.

When the soft tissue is being pulled and stretched into the cup the body will respond by increasing blood circulation to the area being treated. The sudden increase in flow will flush out stagnated toxins and attract immune cells. The increase in oxygenated blood can help with cell repair and help form new connective tissues. An additional benefit is the reduction of inflammation which can help with pain management and cut down the time needed for a natural recovery.

Neck Pain

Many people suffer from neck pain, and for most neck pain is mild and often goes away on its own or with simple treatments. For those with chronic neck pain however, you may need something more than just “taking it easy”. 

Neck pain can be caused by a number of reasons, some more serious than others these include:

  • Poor Sleeping Position
  • Whiplash
  • Extended Periods of Time Arching Your Neck
  • Grinding/Gritting Your Teeth
  • Poor Posture
  • Repetitive Motion
  • Muscle Strain

As previously stated, Cupping causes vasodilation which increases flow of blood to the area that is being treated. When the soft tissues become stretched it loosens muscle knots relaxing the neck. The reduction in swelling due to the increased circulation makes Cupping Therapy an effective form of reducing chronic neck pain. 

Back Pain

Much like neck pains, back pain can be caused by a variety of reasons. Most common being Muscle strains and sprains. Back pain caused by sitting for extended periods of time has become more common in recent times.Due to the difference in size it is more common to injure your back doing everyday things like picking up your child. Or in some cases coughing or sneezing. 

Back pain may take longer to heal depending on the severity of the injury. Cupping Therapy is usually done as often as twice per week. Though depending on the color of the mark left by the cup, treatment may be adjusted.

Cupping Therapy can be used to treat pain, reduce scar tissue in muscles, and reduce swelling and muscle knots. We are here to aid you in recovering the natural way. Cupping Therapy is only one of many treatments we offer.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

5 Questions to Ask Prior to Cupping Therapy

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What is Cupping Therapy?

This first question is a freebie, Cupping Therapy is a Traditional Chinese therapy in which cups with negative pressure are placed on the skin. The negative pressure causes a suction to occur on the skin which pulls on the skin, muscle and fascia up into the cup. This action brings fresh oxygenated blood into the injured tissue. While at the same time pulling out old toxins and stagnant blood from the soft tissue, it is then recirculated and filtered out of the body.

Now that you are more acquainted with cupping therapy, there are a few questions you may have before going through with Cupping Therapy. Today I’ll be answering 5 of the more commonly asked questions patients ask prior to Cupping Therapy.

Does It Hurt?

Quite possibly the most common question asked before Cupping Therapy is whether it’s painful. No, it doesn’t really hurt. The truth is every patient experiences Cupping differently so it is difficult to give an absolute answer. Some patients feel the pulling of the soft tissue is uncomfortable and not very pleasant. On the other hand there are patients who find the experience soothing and relaxing like getting a massage. Depending on the stagnation of the tissue being treated you may experience some soreness. If for some reason you do feel pain, let the therapist know as they may need to adjust the strength of the suction on the cup in order to make the therapy more comfortable.

What are those Marks?

Once you are done with your Cupping Therapy session you’ll notice round marks left behind from the cups. Some people think they are bruises however, these marks can tell you how stagnated the treated tissue was. With darker marks meaning there was more stagnation. These marks can take one to two weeks to clear up depending on your body’s stagnation as well. Staying well hydrated can shorten the time for the marks to fade.

How do I Prepare for Cupping Therapy?

Firstly you should be hydrated. Cupping works with your lymphatic system to get rid of toxins and cellular waste from your body. In order for this to work properly plenty of water is required. Avoid shaving, exfoliating or anything else that can make your skin sensitive. Having sensitive skin can increase discomfort during a Cupping Therapy session and can cause you to have an overall poor experience. 

Wear comfortable loose fitting clothes as once a Cupping Therapy session ends your skin may feel sensitive.

How Many Sessions do I Need?

It depends on the specific needs and goals of the patient. Cupping Therapy has an immediate effect on patients, and effects can last for days after. If you are just looking to detoxify, a single session every month may be enough. On the other hand an active and athletic person may require more frequent sessions. Feel free to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA if you would benefit from frequent Cupping Therapy sessions.

Is Cupping Therapy Safe?

For the vast majority of patients, yes. It is unusual and rare for Cupping Therapy to cause any serious problems. Side effects are limited to the marks left behind after Cupping Therapy though in extremely rare cases skin infections can occur. Precaution is necessary if you have suffered from recent cardiac arrests, have been fasting for long periods of time or if you are pregnant.

If you still have questions regarding Cupping Therapy be sure to ask your therapist at SOHMA Integrative Medicine of Long Beach CA if Cupping Therapy is right for you.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.