It's a very slow process - two steps forward, one step back - but I'm inching in the right direction. - Rob Reiner

March 08, 2011

Cupping...not to be confused with Spooning

When Jim and I first got married - he used to ask if he could "cup" with me. I said do you mean "spoon".  He was like whatever, it's some kitchen utensil right?  He was a little confused - but more on cupping in a minute.

Now, an update on my back.  My run Saturday kind of got my back all out of whack again :(   I saw my chiropractor yesterday and he was like "wow, your back is really bad, wow I didn't expect your SI Joint to be so locked up" - is this supposed to make me feel better?  Anyway, I'm continuing to keep doing what I can.  I know it's something I'm going to have to deal with over the next few months.  So frustrating.  I am signed up for a 4 mile run this weekend.  Hopefully it will go well.  But I may have to scale back to biking and swimming only - we shall see.  I know getting back in the pool will help strengthen my back muscles ....however, I had this very interesting thing done during my massage on Saturday - Cupping - has anyone ever heard of this or had it done?  It's very, very interesting and it leaves large reddish/purple circles all down your back which the therapist said could last for up to 2 weeks.  My husband Jim said, please honey don't go swimming, people will think you are a freak or have something seriously wrong with you.  They have faded quite a bit already, so I'm hoping I can swim on Thursday.

This is exactly what my back looked like
 So what is cupping?  It's an ancient Chinese therapy using glass or plastic cups to create localized pressure by a vacuum.  The vacuum inside the cups causes the blood to form in the area and help the healing in that area.  Another healing aspect of cupping therapy is through the release of toxins in your body.  The suction from the cups can penetrate deep into your tissues causing the tissues to release harmful toxins.  It triggers the lymphatic system, clears the blood vessels, and stretches and activates the skin.  It's a very interesting process.  I thought it was kind of painful, but I guess some people find it relaxing.

See, doesn't that look relaxing?  Ouch!
Anyway, it wasn't a cure all for my back, but it was worth a shot.  How about you guys, have you ever had any weird therapies or treatments for pain?

16 comments:

  1. Whoa..I actually heard about that. Kinda like when I was a kid I used to do that with the Atari joystick handle on my forehead. :o) Hope it works for you. Take it easy on the run. Not worth setting yourself farther behide.

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  2. you must get jim to take pictures of your back...for the sake of blogging you know???!! i have heard of this, but never done it. wonder if they can cup a knee, bet that would be difficult LOL

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  3. Darn it! I'm sorry your back is still a problem. I've seen cupping before it but never had it done. It sounds interesting. Take care of yourself and don't try to over do it!

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  4. Ouch! That definitely *doesn't* sound relaxing at all to me! Wow. The only sorta' strange treatment that I've had done is the Graston Technique. Our sports chiro does this... it basically involves scraping a flat metal blade over a problem area to break up the scar tissue there. I'm not sure it was effective for me, but it did cure dh's plantar faciatis. He was *really* happy about that.

    Hope your back feels better soon!

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  5. Huh! i was just reading Dean Karnazes' new book this morning and he talks about a similar Greek tradition called "vanduzzi". It's almost exactly like this, but with a few extra ingredients (like cloth on fire UNDER the cup). Very interesting!

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  6. That is so crazy!! But, like you said, it's worth a try!

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  7. That looks painful. I think I'd rather go for some spooning :)

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  8. Wow, I just don't know about that one. I guess I would have to try it though before I said no way!

    I hope your back heals. I really do know how back pains sucks!

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  9. Holy moly! It looks like an octopus hugged that girl! Hope it helped and don't worry about looking weird. The inevitable bike short tan lines when wearing your regular bathing suit will take care of any embarrassment issues. Heal quickly!

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  10. Dean Karnazes writes about using this post-run in his new book!

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  11. I had it done too and it was painful as all heck.

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  12. HOlY MOLY! You went through that? You BRAVE WOMAN!

    I have seen that before on a travel video. Just looks torturous. :( I am so sorry about your back. My hubby has a bad back too. He has been stretching a lot recently and it seems to be easing up. I know you probably do this already, though...

    Sending up a prayer for you. We can bike together this weekend, maybe--across the internet?

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  13. That looks cool. I want to go cupping. Those Chinese know what they are doing. I suppose you should drink lot so fluid after a cupping session. Just seems like it.

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  16. That looks painful! Personally I'm not a fan of "weird" therapies, heck, I don't even like chiropractors. That's just me.

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