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The ancient acupuncture practice of “cupping” dates back to the early 4th century and has been used by a diverse group of cultures, including the Greeks, the Egyptians and the Chinese. Today cupping is the latest craze among celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Cupping was originally used to heal internal disease and respiratory problems; the Greeks used it to restore balance in the body’s four “humors” or elements; blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Today it is practiced at certain acupuncture centers to help fatigue, stress, migraines, stomach pains, and coughs.
The cupping practitioner will either heat up a plastic or glass cup, or reduce the oxygen inside the cup. The cup is then placed on the back, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and stomach. The heated or oxygen-free cup acts as a vacuum, sucking up the skin as the blood flows up to the skin, stimulating the blood and sucking out toxins.
The cups are usually left between 5-10 minutes and may leave marks, but they will normally disappear within a few days. The idea of cupping is to get rid of excess blood and increase blood flow. The benefits are said to be similar to those of a deep tissue or shiatsu massage. A treatment cost about $100 for 60 minutes. To get a referral, contact the Acupuncture Society of New York.
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