Ba Guan Fa 拔罐法

Usually translated as cupping. Is a technique that utilizes suction to place “cup like” instruments over the skin in order to stimulate healing processes in the underlying soft tissue. The origins of this technique is not clear but there are some evidence that suggest that cupping therapy can be traced back to the early Han Dynasty. Ge Hong – a famous herbalist and alchemist during the Jin Dynasty is considered the first to use this technique in China (1). The evidence points that use of horns and bamboo were the first type of cups. Now days, the cups are either made from hardened glass or medical grade plastic/silicone.

“Cupping is a traditional therapy that has been employed worldwide for thousands of years. Despite a lack of quality clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of cupping therapy, its long history and widespread use throughout the world suggests the commonly claimed health benefits should not be completely discounted as without merit” (2).

Cupping is used to strengthen or activate the body’s natural self-healing powers, at times when they are not able to do so, on their own (3). It is a common practiced therapy in between massage therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors and of course East Asian Medicine practitioners. Is not uncommon see hi-ranked sport woman/men that cannot use pharmacological therapies with cupping marks.

And speaking about cupping marks:

As ugly as they can be, cupping marks are not bruises. Bruises are caused by blunt injury or trauma. They are the blood from broken capillaries trapped under the skin. 

Cupping marks are stagnant blood, cellular debris, or pathogens that are brought to the surface for the lymphatic system to clear away. The lymphatic system is what processes and carries these waste products out of your body. The stagnant blood, cellular debris, or pathogens are there as a result of past or present injury or illness. Bruises can hurt to the touch. Cupping marks do not (4).

Usually, in healthy tissue, the markings left by cupping disappear in about 7 days. The color of the mark varies from dark purple to light pink depending on the area, the color of the skin, the intensity of the suction, how much time the cup is placed and the amount of debris the cup is bringing to the surface. 

This is something to consider if there is any reason you do not want to have marks for a couple of days. For example, if you are going to the beach or you are the bridesmaid of your best friend and you will be wearing a strapless dress; you might want to skip this type of treatment. That being said, cup markings are very good “conversation starters” too!

References:

(1)  Romeril, P. Melburn Combined Natural Therapies. The History of Cupping. (2019). Retrieved from (29 Sep 2021): https://melbournenaturaltherapies.com.au/the-history-of-cupping/

(2)  Lowe, D. Science Direct. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. Cupping therapy: An analysis of the effects of suction on skin and the possible influence on human health. (2017). Retrieved from (29 Sep 2021): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388117304024  

(3)  Romeril, P. Melburn Combined Natural Therapies. The History of Cupping. (2019). Retrieved from (29 Sep 2021): https://melbournenaturaltherapies.com.au/the-history-of-cupping/

(4)  Copeland, E. Simply Massage. All about Cupping Marks. (2019). Retrieved from (29 Sep 2021): https://simplymassagefl.com/2019/07/05/all-about-cupping-marks/