The principle around cupping, and other therapies like gua she is called “releasing the exterior”. The exterior, in this case, is referring to the protective layer surrounding our entire body, called “Wei Qi”. Wei qi is a type of qi, and it circulates like the lymphatic system. The Wei qi fends off invasions of pathogens whether physical or energetic.
Cupping works to “release the exterior” by opening up this protective layer in our skin, and venting it out. When this happens there is a release of heat, dampness, stagnation in general and more.
The marks you see with cupping will indicate what the nature of the pathogen was, but most of us have some pathogens trapped in our “armor” or protective layer. These trapped energies can lead to many issues, dis-regulation and anxiety.
The Lung in Chinese medicine is responsible for dispersing energy and fluids throughout the body. The lung is also the main messenger of the heart. Our breath is vital in that, as soon as we stop breathing, we die. Breath is the most essential function we have.
The skin is called “the third lung” because it itself is a conduit of energy throughout the body. The skin absorbs so much, just as the lungs do.
After a cupping session, patients experience much clearer and more grounded breathing. The breath deepens as there is no more stagnant energy, phlegm or heat in the way.
When someone experiences a shock, whether a exposure to an illness, a pollutant, or is attacked in some way by someone else’s energy, that attack becomes stuck in the skin.
I have a patient who was getting red marks all over their body. I learned that they had been exposed to wildfire smoke. The heat and pollutants from the smoke had been manifesting in the skin. By clearing the skin, we allowed the lungs to release what they had been holding.
In another case, a patient had been harassed by some people, yelling at her. This attack led to cold-like symptoms. The pathogen showed up in the lungs. Cupping helped to vent out the pathogen.
When properly trained, the most effective cupping technique is called sliding cups. Many acupuncturists and LMT’s will put the cups on your back and leave them to make marks. Unfortunately this is a very limited approach. Effective, sure, but there is much more possible.
Sliding the cups helps to clear the lymphatic system, dredges out toxins and more. People describe this as feeling like they are being scraped of all the bad stuff in their body. It is a wonderful deep detox that shows in the skin and complexion. The cosmetic benefits of cupping are a lovely side effect.
When there is nerve pressure, when a muscle is pressing into a nerve, or the spine is compacted—pressing into that area is likely to cause more issues. With my method of cupping, where I pull up on certain areas, and along the spine, I am allowing the nerves to not be impinged, and for the muscle to reset.
Imagine a suction cup on a tight area of your spine, and how it would feel to gently lift the fascia around this area. Such an action helps to untangle and reset the impingement.
I offer cupping with all of my treatments. Its not required. I also offer cupping in a 30 minute session format. I have 12 years of experience in cupping and consider it a very effective and nearly magical tool for many issues, when done correctly.
