When you experience chronic back pain, finding relief is crucial to your quality of life. That's why many people turn to alternative treatments for chronic pain issues, including cupping therapy. This option has been used for thousands of years to address a wide range of maladies and ailments. It's also quite effective against back aches and pains and does not come with the side effects associated with other treatments. This guide outlines what you should know about cupping to determine if it's the right choice for you.

What Is Cupping Therapy?

As the name suggests, this form of alternative therapy uses cups that are placed over certain areas of the body. They can be made from glass, silicone, or ceramics, and they create suction over the areas where they're placed. The practitioner will place a flammable material, such as paper or alcohol, inside the cup before setting it on fire. The fire is quickly extinguished, which removes all the oxygen from within, and then the cup is overturned and placed on a specific body part. 

The decreased oxygen within the cup creates a vacuum, which gently pulls the skin upwards. They are usually left in place for a few minutes or so before being removed. They can also be placed on multiple areas of the body, in addition to the back, like the legs and abdomen.

Why Is It Beneficial for Treating Back Pain?

Back pain is often accompanied by stiffness and inflexibility, which can be remedied by improving the flow of blood and oxygen to the area. That's precisely what the suction created by cupping provides. It also facilitates faster healing of injuries within muscle tissues. As a result, this therapy is ideal for people with chronic back pain caused by repetitive movement or medical conditions. It can also help people recover from sports injuries quicker.

Since 2009, Avicenna Acupuncture & Lymphedema Clinic has provided safe and effective alternative treatments for people throughout Colorado's Denver metro area. In addition to cupping therapy, they also offer acupuncture and herbal medicine. Instead of just treating symptoms, Dr. Igor P. Zielinski, Dr. Petra E. Schalk, and the rest of the team focus on the cause of ailments for comprehensive healing. Visit the website to learn more about cupping, and call (303) 803-0675 to schedule an appointment today.

Note: While these services are highly beneficial to your body and mind, they're not intended to replace professional medical assistance.