Since 2007, I have been a patient of Dr. Leonor Murciano of Nourishing Women in Pembroke Pines, FL. I first met Dr. Murciano seven years ago when I started fertility treatment. I wrote about my very personal experiences with infertility and acupuncture recently for the parenting website Bundoo. Dr. Murciano changed my life, and that is not an exaggeration. She helped me through some very difficult times, treated me through both of my in-vitro fertilization treatments, and is helping me now again with an autoimmune issue. She is an acupuncturist, a healer, and what I like to call my spiritual guru. Recently though, we’ve added a new method to my treatment plan, called cupping. She first practiced cupping on me in June of 2013, the day of Game 6 of the NBA Finals, when I had a horrendous sinus infection, and had to work a late night game. Now we do this almost every week.
My first reaction was, “What? You’re going to do what?” I had never heard of cupping, except for those old pictures of Gwyneth Paltrow in magazines years ago. But I trusted her.
Cupping is an ancient Chinese method of detoxification which also carries benefits like getting rid of cold symptoms, relieving aches and pains, and helping you to feel more energized. It is done along with acupuncture and is completely non-invasive, easy and relaxing. The cupping session is done with several cups made from glass and rubber placed on your skin and suction sealed. This forces the blood to flow more strongly to the affected area, which in this case are the particular meridians and channels affected by the pathogen or disorder. It forces the tissues to release toxins and improve the underlying Qi stagnations or stasis. When Qi (the vital energy force) is blocked, we experience disorders and sickness. Our immune system is weakened and pathogens can take advantage. The cupping helps increase blood flow in the meridians and unblock Qi. Cupping helps reduce infection, heal wounds, and detox the body.
And quite honestly, it barely hurts. It just feels like your skin is pinching a bit, but the process is tolerable and effective. You are left with a few red circles on your back, but they are only a little sore afterwards.
After my first cupping treatment, as promised, I was totally relaxed and didn’t feel as drained. Of course I wasn’t healed completely of my cold, but it did help. And we continue to do cupping along, with acupuncture each week, to bring blood flow and oxygen to the places in my back that need to be cleared to help promote healing.
If you haven’t tried acupuncture or cupping, I highly recommend both of these natural treatments. Unlike Western medicine, acupuncture helps to heal your core issues and diseases that are causing your symptoms. And I promise, the needles don’t hurt! Baby steps to better health one day at a time.
have you ever tried cupping or alternative medicine?
I’d never even heard of that before. Interesting!
I am seriously fascinated by cupping and am so glad to read a direct account of someone who has done it. I would totally try it!-Ashley
I have never heard of cupping before. Absolutely fascinating. I am a true believer in alternative medicine and had acupuncture help me get rid of a terrible kidney stone!
I’ve heard of it but I’ve never heard from someone who has done it so this makes me happy! It seems very interesting and I’d love to try it. I’ve never tried most things I want to try – acupressure, acupuncture, etc.
I’ve never tried alternative medicine and I found your post very interesting. Thanks so much for sharing.
I’ve heard of cupping but I’ve never tried it. I’ve done acupuncture though… and yes, it really works!
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
I had never heard of cupping. I’m intrigued now! I want to try it. I have always wanted to try acupuncture though, just too lazy to get up and go!