Cupping is a type of alternative therapy that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. This suction is thought to improve the flow of energy in the body and facilitate healing. The suction helps facilitate the flow of “Qi” in the body. Qi is a Chinese word meaning life force. Cupping helps balance yin and yang, or the negative and positive, within the body. Restoring balance between these two extremes is thought to help with the body’s resistance to pathogens as well as its ability to increase blood flow and reduce pain.

Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This may relieve muscle tension, which can improve overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue.

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According to the 2018 review, the effects of cupping therapy include:

   ⇸ Promoting the skin’s blood flow

   ⇸ Changing the skin’s biomechanical properties

   ⇸ Increasing pain thresholds

   ⇸ Increasing the flow of lymph

   ⇸ Reducing inflammation

   ⇸ Boosting cellular immunity

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According to the research mentioned above, cupping may remove toxins by stimulating the immune response, both locally and systemically. It may also eliminate uric acid, a natural waste product from the digestion of certain foods. Uric acid buildup can lead to high levels of acidity in the blood and urine. Cupping may also have a positive effect on the lymphatic system, which is partially responsible for eliminating your body’s waste. When the flow of lymph is interrupted, it can cause fluid buildup and prevent the body from properly eliminating toxins. Lymphatic drainage massage is one solution to this issue. Similarly, cupping may help increase the flow of lymph and prevent fluid buildup. The evidence for cupping’s ability to remove toxins is promising, but more research is needed to confirm it.