Cupping therapy in Wokingham, Berkshire
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1. About
Cupping therapy is the placement of glass, plastic, bamboo or silicone cups on specific areas of the body using a vacuum to relieve muscle tension and pain. It is believed that placing these cups on specific areas helps to move stagnant Qi (energy) and increase blood flow, allowing the body to detoxify accumulations in the muscles and promote better general health.
After treatment, it can feel similar to having had a deep tissue massage and is very relaxing. Many people find the sensation of the cups being removed particularly comfortable, leaving a pleasant feeling of release in the treated area.
2. History of cupping
Cupping has been used in Europe, the Middle East (known as Hijama in the Islamic tradition) and East Asia for thousands of years to treat a variety of health problems and promote healing. In the UK, it has a long history of use and can be traced back to Hippocrates in ancient Greece. It was even used at St Thomas' Hospital in London until the early 20th century.
Its use in western medicine declined over time, but it remained popular in East Asia. Over recent decades it has been reintroduced to the western world as a complementary therapy. Its profile was raised significantly when Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was seen with cupping marks at the 2016 Rio Olympics, highlighting its effectiveness for muscle recovery.
3. How cupping therapy works
Traditionally, a flame is used to create a vacuum inside a glass cup before it is applied to the body. Today, a hand pump is more commonly used to draw the air out of a plastic cup, creating the same vacuum effect. There is no therapeutic difference between the two methods; the pump is simply safer and carries fewer risks.
Cupping is an effective way of releasing tension across a large muscle area quickly. It can be more effective than massage alone and works particularly well when combined with other Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies such as acupuncture or gua sha.
4. Our cupping therapist
Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto BM (Beijing), BSc (Hons) TCM, MBAcC, MRCHM
Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto has been practising acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for over 20 years. He is passionate about empowering people with the ancient knowledge of Chinese medicine through lifestyle and diet.
Dr (TCM) D'Alberto graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine from Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China – a full-time, five-year degree programme that included six months of clinical internship at two of the largest hospitals in Beijing.
Dr (TCM) D'Alberto practises cupping therapy from his own clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council.
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