Cupping therapy has two main categories and several sub-categories.

Cupping therapy can be categorized into two main types:

• Wet Cupping Therapy
• Dry Cupping Therapy

Wet Cupping Therapy

1- Hijama Cupping Therapy: It is also known as blood cupping therapy. Hijama is one of the most popular types of wet cupping therapies. Hijama has a significant importance in Islam. It is the Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet. During the night journey and ascension (Laylatu’l Isra), our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was ordered to establish Hijama.

Angels told Rasool Allah (PBUM): “Oh Muhammad, order your Ummah (nation) with Hijama”. Saheeh Sunnan Tirmidhi(3479)Abdullah ibn Abbas (R.A) reported Rasool Allah (PBUM) saying, “I did not pass by any angel during my night journey that did not tell me:Make it necessary upon you to have Hijama”. Saheeh Sunna Ibn Maajag(3477).

How Does Hijama Cupping Work?

This therapy involves applying cups on the skin through a suction gun. A vacuum pulls the skin upward for about 5 minutes. When a negative pressure is drawn, tiny blood vessels and capillaries break. This process is called ecchymosis. When the gap between the layers of the skin increases, it allows the tissues and muscles to collect more toxins, and dead blood cells under the skin. Clean the area with an alcohol swab or antiseptic spray to protect the skin against microorganisms. Tiny superficial cuts are made through blades. The cups are applied again to capture the toxic blood. Pressure is released to clean the area. The same procedure is repeated two to three times.

2- Needle Cupping Therapy: Needle cupping therapy combines acupuncture and cupping in a simultaneous treatment. It involves inserting needles into the soft tissues of the body. Mostly filiform needles are used because they are short, stainless steel solid needles.

How Does Needle Cupping Work?

Needles are placed on the trigger points to stimulate muscle contractions and activate healing. Needles release the muscle knot and relieve the pain.

While inserting needles into the skin, don’t wear gloves, and clean the skin with an alcohol swab or antiseptic spray to avoid germs. Insert the needle at the appropriate depth. Apply a dry cup on the needle, the length of the needle and the top of the cup should be managed wisely. The cup should remain there for 10 to 15 minutes. When the skin draws up with a needle directly over that skin, it disperses chi and blood, increases the range of motion, and reduces muscle tension. At the end of the procedure, sometimes drops of blood come with it, which is normal.

How to Create a Suction For Wet Cupping?

Through Suction Gun: Cupping therapy is performed through a suction gun. When a cup is placed on the skin, the suction gun helps to suck the air out of the cup, which creates a vacuum. The vacuum eliminates toxins and the body’s waste. It also increases the lymph flow and prevents fluid build-up.

Benefits Of Wet Cupping Therapy

• Removes the toxins from the body
• Built new blood cells to encourage comfort and relaxation
• The formation of new blood improves oxygenation
• New blood cells energizers the body
• Enhances blood circulation
• Helps with muscular pains
• Reduce muscle spasm
• Relieves depression and anxiety attacks
• Activates the immune system
• Works well for headaches and migraines
• Best solutions for skin issues
• Resolves digestive issues quickly
• Reduces Inflammation
• Promotes natural healing
• Changes the skin’s biomechanical properties
• Balances hormones and function of hemoglobin

Dry Cupping Therapy

Dry cupping therapy is a form of alternative therapy popular among the Chinese, Middle East, and West. Dry cupping therapy is also known as static cupping therapy.

How To Create A Suction For Dry Cupping?

Cups are placed on the skin through heat or suction to create a vacuum inside the cup. The vacuum creates negative pressure by lifting the upper layer of the skin, the dermis. The lifting separates the skin layer from the tissues. The gap between the skin and tissues allows blood to flow rapidly.

How Does Dry Cupping Work?

As the suction is applied to the cup, it creates negative pressure and lifts the skin; this application draws blood toward that area. The tissues and muscles receive fresh and oxygenated blood. The suction immediately increases blood circulation and loosens the connective tissues. The vacuum motivates the body to respond to the treatment by generating a natural healing mechanism. As a result, the body starts producing red blood cells, platelets, fibres, and proteins.

Types Of Dry Cupping Therapy

There are different kinds of dry cupping therapies. Let’s explore them one by one.

1- Fixed Cupping Therapy: In this form of dry cupping therapy, cups are placed on specific pressure points and meridians on the body. As the vacuum is created, it leaves circular marks to promote blood circulation. The fixed cupping leaves localized skin discoloration called ecchymosis. It looks painful, but it is not painful at all. The cup shouldn’t be placed for more than 10 minutes. The ecchymosis disappears within 3- 10 days, depending upon an individual’s body type.

2- Moving Cupping Therapy: This type of dry cupping therapy involves repeated movements of cups by applying oil on the skin. Moving cupping is like a massage that relaxes deep tissues. As the cup moves, suction gets low, so it should be reapplied. It aids in relaxing the body, reduces stiffness and muscular tension, and improves muscular extensibility to move better. The skin should be smooth. It is not safe to perform moving cupping therapy on a wounded area. Ecchymosis does not usually occur during moving cups, as the cup is moving and not stationary long enough to create skin coloration.

3- Fire Cupping Therapy: Fire cupping therapy is applied for dry cupping by suction through a glass jar, in which a vacuum has been created by placing a flame inside the cup. When the flame inside the cup burns out all the oxygen, the Practitioner quickly applies the deoxygenated cup onto the skin, creating a natural vacuum and promoting blood circulation.

4- Flash Cupping Therapy: Flash cupping is also known as fast cupping therapy. Flash cupping involves repeated placement and release of cups on the skin. Flash cupping is performed several times in quick succession on the same spot. A few practitioners use flames to perform flash cupping. Silicon cups can also be used for that matter. Squeeze the cups, place them on the targetted area then release within a second. Repeat this method several times for up to 10 to 15 minutes. Flash cupping relieves congestion and sinus pressure.

5- Bio-magnetic Cupping Therapy: This therapy is similar to fixed cupping. The only difference is that magnets are used inside the cups. Magnetic cups are applied to the meridian lines to balance the vital energy force and lose the tight muscles. Magnetic cupping can not be used with moving cupping or wet cupping therapy. Magnetic cupping therapy raises energy levels and helps with depression, insomnia, inflammation, backaches, and foot aches.

Benefits Of Dry Cupping Therapy

• Reduces muscular tension and pain.
• Increases blood circulation.
• Promotes cell repair through improved blood flow.
• Works as a natural pain reliever.
• Stretches myofascial tissues.
• Boost the immune system to fight against viruses and infections.
• An active immune system prevents diseases and ailments.
• Increases range of motion.
• Clears the skin.
• Dry cupping is very effective for digestive issues.
• It also helps to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting.
• Reduces the number of cellulitis in the body.
• Dry cupping treats pain naturally.
• Restores order in the body by unblocking the disturbance in the blood.
• Clears the pathways for the vital energy to flow.
• Help to reduce the symptoms of arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis.
• Reduces inflammatory cytokines that promote healing.

Cupping therapy has been used for thousands of years as an alternate therapy that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. Cupping therapy improves the flow of vital energy (Qi) in the body, facilitates healing, and rejuvenates the immune system.