Cupping and EDS; good or bad?

[Guest guest]

What caused Gwyneth's spots?

Gwyneth Paltrow caused a stir at a New York film premiere this week in a low

cut top revealing a back covered in large circular bruises. See a photo at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3879447.stm

Gwyneth had cupping, a kind of acupuncture. It involves placing heated cups

over the skin to encourage blood flow and ease stress, aches and pains... a

form of acupuncture that focuses on the movement of blood, energy -

called qi - and body fluids, such as lymph - which circulates around the

body's

tissues.

Oriental medicine states pain is due to stagnation of these systems. This

stagnation can be a result of injury or stress.

Cupping is believed to stimulate flow of blood, lymph and Qi to the affected

area. Its uses include relieving pain in the muscles, especially back pain

from stiffness or injury, and clearing congestion in the chest, which can

occur

with colds and flu.

How it's done

The therapist takes a number of glass cups, which look like small fish

bowls.

Each cup is heated with a naked flame. The cup is then quickly applied to

the

skin. This creates a vacuum.

The suction anchors the cup to the body and the area of skin covered is

drawn

up a few millimetres into the cup.

The cups are then left on the body whilst the area beneath is treated and

the

energy, or qi, is moved.

Cupping is usually used on its own, but can be combined with other

therapies.

Tim Handley had conventional acupuncture and cupping therapy for a painful

shoulder.

He told BBC News Online: " I had four treatments and it really knocked it on

the head. It was brilliant. After the first time I had it I felt absolutely

fantastic. The difference was so tangible. It was wonderful.

" It felt quite strange because the suction was enormous. It was intense but

not painful. You could feel the blood being drawn into the muscle. "

Like Gwyneth, he was bruised afterwards, but the marks vanished quickly.

" It looked hilarious. They were deep purple, amazing bruises. But it's not

damage as such. They are 'healthy bruises' and they disappeared very quickly

-

within a week. I would have it done again. "

Mike O'Farrell, CEO of the British Acupuncture Council said: " Although

cupping does leave noticeable marks that can look alarming, it is not

painful during

or after treatment.

" This is a successful method as seen by the thousands of patients who use

it.

However, as with all medical treatments it is important to seek out a

registered practitioner. "

But Professor Edzard Ernst from the department of complementary medicine at

the University of Exeter said, while cupping was relatively safe, it could

cause burns.

He added: " There is no evidence for its efficacy. It has not been submitted

to clinical trials, but there have certainly been satisfied customers for

3,000

years. "

Alternative Therapies

Cupping

Cupping is a technique that is especially useful in the treatment of

problems

of local qi, or blood stagnation in the channels, and is usually performed

as

an alternative to acupuncture.

The cups that are used are generally of rounded glass construction. The cups

are warmed via a burning taper, held for a very short period of time inside

the cup. The cup is then quickly placed over the selected area.

Due to the candle flame, all of the oxygen in the cup has been removed and

when placed open side down, a vacuum is created, which anchors the cup to

the

skin and pulls the skin upward on the inside of the glass.

The resulting pressure encourages the flow of qi and blood in the area

beneath the cup, and the local stagnation begins to clear.

It is imperative that this method only be performed by licensed

practitioners, and even when performed correctly, can result in marking (non

permanent) and

bruises.

http://www.aworldofacupuncture.com/acupuncture-cupping.htm

===============

Photos of Cupping procedure

http://tcm.health-info.org/Acupunture/acupuncture-cupping-pictures.htm

===============

More about Cupping...

Other common name(s): Cupping, Fire Cupping, Body Vacuuming, The Horn Method

Scientific/medical name(s): None Description Cupping involves warming the

air

inside a glass, metal, or wooden cup and inverting it over a part of the

body

to treat various health conditions. Overview There is no scientific evidence

that cupping leads to any health benefits.

How Is It Promoted for Use?

Cupping is a practice of Chinese medicine recommended primarily for treating

bronchial congestion, arthritis, and pain. It is also promoted to ease

depression and reduce swelling. There is no evidence to support these

claims. Cupping

is supposed to realign and balance the flow of vital energy or life force

called qi (or chi). In the presence of illness or injury proponents say, the

qi

is disturbed and may become excessive or deficient at certain points. The

practitioner diagnoses any imbalances in the qi and attempts to restore

them.

Although not widely used as an alternative method of treatment for cancer,

some

practitioners may use it to rebalance energy in the body that has been

blocked by

certain tumors.

What Does It Involve?

A flammable substance, such as alcohol, herbs, or paper is placed in a cup

made of glass, metal, wood, or bamboo. The material inside the cup is set on

fire. As the fire goes out, the cup is placed upside down over qi pathways

associated with the patient's illness, where it remains for 5 to 10 minutes.

As the

air inside the jar cools, it creates a vacuum, which causes the skin to

rise.

This is supposed to open up the skin's pores and create a route for toxins

to

escape the body. The skin under the cup reddens as blood vessels expand. In

a

more modern version of cupping, a rubber pump attached to the jar is used to

create the vacuum. In " wet " cupping, the skin is punctured before treatment.

When the cup is applied, blood flows out of the punctures, supposedly

carrying

along harmful substances and toxins. In " dry " cupping, the skin is left

intact.

Some practitioners sterilize the cups in an autoclave, which heats the cups

to more than 250s F.

What Is the History Behind It?

Cupping is an ancient component of Chinese medicine. Besides " fire " cupping,

other methods include acupuncture cupping, water cupping, and air-pump

cupping. What Is the Evidence? No research or clinical studies have been

done on

cupping. Any reports of successful treatment with cupping are anectodal.

There is

no scientific evidence that cupping can cure cancer or any other disease.

Are

There Any Possible Problems or Complications? Cupping is considered

relatively

safe. However, the treatment may be uncomfortable and slightly painful.

Cupping also leaves purplish marks on the skin that heal after several days

and can

cause swelling due to the accumulation of excess fluid around the cupped

area.

References Cassileth B. The Alternative Medicine Handbook. New York, NY: W.

W. Norton & Co; 1998. Raso J. Dictionary of metaphysical healthcare.

Quackwatch

Web site. Available at: http://www.quackwatch.com. Accessed February 22,

2000. Note: This information was reprinted from the American Cancer

Society's

Guide to Complementary and Alternative Methods. Copyright©2000, American

Cancer

Society. This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions,

precautions, side effects or interactions, is not intended as medical

advice, an

d should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your

doctor

who is familiar with your medical needs.

Copyright 2004 © American Cancer Society, Inc.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Cupping.asp?sitearea=ETO

[Guest guest]

I have had this done MANY times and can't beleiev they made such a

fuss over it (Gwynth's were nothing ) mine gue bright red/black

bruises and look like I have been attacked by a giant octopus (He he)

they don't hurt but can/do get itchy.

As to if tey are good or not good for EDS, I really don't know but

have tried it and had some benefit from it.

Sharon

>

>

>

> What caused Gwyneth's spots?

> Gwyneth Paltrow caused a stir at a New York film premiere this week

in a low

> cut top revealing a back covered in large circular bruises. See a

photo at:

> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3879447.stm

>

> Gwyneth had cupping, a kind of acupuncture. It involves placing

heated cups

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon; thanks for the reply. I was thinking it would take a very long time

for those bruises to leave an EDS person. And hurt.

On 7/11/04 1:23 AM, " ceda " ceda > wrote:

>

> Subject: Re: Cupping and EDS; good or bad?

>

> I have had this done MANY times and can't beleiev they made such a

> fuss over it (Gwynth's were nothing ) mine gue bright red/black

> bruises and look like I have been attacked by a giant octopus (He he)

> they don't hurt but can/do get itchy.

> As to if tey are good or not good for EDS, I really don't know but

> have tried it and had some benefit from it.

[Guest guest]

Sharon; thanks for the reply. I was thinking it would take a very long time

for those bruises to leave an EDS person. And hurt.

On 7/11/04 1:23 AM, " ceda " ceda > wrote:

>

> Subject: Re: Cupping and EDS; good or bad?

>

> I have had this done MANY times and can't beleiev they made such a

> fuss over it (Gwynth's were nothing ) mine gue bright red/black

> bruises and look like I have been attacked by a giant octopus (He he)

> they don't hurt but can/do get itchy.

> As to if tey are good or not good for EDS, I really don't know but

> have tried it and had some benefit from it.