A few decades ago, putting cups on your back was considered a common procedure. This method was used in the complex treatment of many pathological processes. Most often these were diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as colds and all the ensuing consequences.
In accordance with new trends, placing banks has become unfashionable; over time, this manipulation began to be used less and less and practically disappeared. In pharmacy chains you can find new modifications of cans that differ from the traditional version and also have a different production technology. Below is information about how to correctly place medical cups on your back when coughing, what the duration of therapy should be, as well as possible indications and contraindications.
Purpose of the procedure
In order for the metabolic processes in the body to accelerate, it is worth provoking a powerful release of biologically active ingredients, and for this you will need jars. When placing a glass vessel on the skin, blood microcirculation improves, and, as a result, the flow of nutrients to the affected organs increases, this is especially true for colds
The area of skin where the jar will be placed will begin to turn red due to the flow of blood to it, and also, due to the specific shape of the vessel, a vacuum effect is created. In Chinese medicine, this treatment method was very popular, so it is used for bronchitis, osteochondrosis, painful spasms in the back, lower back and joints. Positive treatment results are based on the creation of a vacuum.
A glass container is placed on the skin and suctioned to the skin, and as a result, blood microcirculation improves, and the outflow of lymph in nearby organs and tissue structures is accelerated. Tissue nutrition returns to normal, a mild analgesic effect develops, and the body’s protective properties increase. The recovery period, in the presence of inflammatory pathologies, is significantly reduced.
If you carry out massage movements using cups, you can increase muscle tone, eliminate soreness, and also increase the elasticity and firmness of the skin.
Is there any practical benefit?
After the results of various studies began to appear in the public domain among medical consumers, many began to doubt the productivity of the old cupping tactics. But even new experiments have confirmed that this method has a therapeutic effect, but only if the protocol for installing the cups is followed.
Most often, the therapist prescribes such a course of auxiliary therapy in conjunction with medication or other types of treatment in the presence of pain in the lower back or cervical region. We are talking about the pain of a chronic course, which is often caused by a sedentary lifestyle, poor heredity, and residual effects of a recently suffered illness. Already at the 3-4 visit, the pain will not only begin to manifest itself actively, but the discomfort in the spine will gradually begin to fade away.
Some pediatricians suggest their patients use the presented tactics to stimulate the activity of a number of internal organs. Here the principle is based on the same atlas of biologically active zones of the human body. If the procedure is performed by an experienced massage therapist or an expert in oriental medicine, he will quickly identify a number of points that can help alleviate the condition when the functioning of the kidneys or some other internal organs is destabilized.
But most often, specific massage is positioned as an auxiliary measure for diagnosed respiratory diseases. But not many people know that in case of bronchitis, using such a popular strategy is strictly prohibited.
Because of this, doctors strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor before starting the course in order to eliminate the risks of possible relative and absolute contraindications. The district police officer must order an examination to clarify the diagnosis.
With a classic cold, you don’t have to sit through the entire manipulation according to the template to attract cans. It is enough to simply lubricate the back with special oil, and then place only two dry cans at the correct points. With their help, you will need to perform massage movements in a circular and rectilinear vector.
The total time spent on such artificial tissue stimulation is no more than ten minutes. But to achieve the desired result, you will have to prepare for a daily visit to the treatment room.
To level out the negative symptoms of a cold, doctors usually use an algorithm for moving equipment from the shoulders to the xiphoid process. It is believed that this is the most optimal combination suitable for this disease.
The patient is left under a warm blanket for about half an hour, provided that the ambient temperature reaches 18 degrees. This approach has a beneficial effect on the rapid removal of sputum that accumulates in the lungs. This way, in a short time, you will be able to get rid of the accumulated secretions with the remains of waste products of pathogenic microorganisms that clog the respiratory tract.
If you want to achieve a more significant result in case of a severe cold, then it is better to use from 10 to 14 pieces of equipment. They are installed at a distance of about five centimeters in relation to each other.
Next, he is asked to lie in a quiet position for approximately 15 minutes under a blanket so that the metabolic processes wake up. The result of a conscientiously carried out course of therapy will help combat congestion in the lungs, as well as significantly strengthen the immune system. Externally, this will be expressed in a decrease in cough, as well as a gradual decrease in redness in the throat.
Despite the fact that contraindications for use prescribe the refusal of such assistance in case of diagnosed bronchitis of any type, banks can be used as a preventive measure. Some doctors advise people prone to bronchial lesions to prepare in advance for the next seasonal outbreak of colds. To do this, you should sign up for a program to support immunity using vacuum exposure in the fall and spring.
Types of cans
Currently, several types of glass containers can be found in pharmacy chains. For example:
- classic glass;
- glass with a rubber cylinder;
- polymer.
Classic jars are made of tempered glass and have thick walls. The average volume of such a vessel is about 70 ml. The edges of the vessel are slightly thickened, this allows not to damage the patient’s skin during the procedure. To manipulate, you will need an open flame, which can be done using tweezers with cotton wool pre-moistened in alcohol wrapped around it. In order to correctly place glass containers in this way, you need to master certain skills and do everything with caution in order to avoid burns.
When placing cans with a rubber balloon, it is impossible to get injured, since there is no source of fire
The second option is glass containers with a rubber balloon. Outwardly, it resembles a mixture of the classic version, namely a small part of a vessel with smooth edges, to which a rubber balloon is attached. The installation mechanism is simple. It does not require special skills. It is necessary to squeeze the balloon and apply the glass part to the skin area.
Polymer cans are made of a very dense material, which in its structure resembles rubber. They do not require fire to install, so anyone can install them themselves. The polymer vessel must be squeezed by hand and attached to a specific area of the body. Most often, polymer jars are used for massage procedures. No matter what banks are used, their mechanism of action does not change. Accordingly, the indications and contraindications are similar.
From antiquity to modern times
For the first time, massage devices of this kind, or, more precisely, their ancestors, began to be used for the treatment and prevention of ailments in the vastness of ancient Egypt. It was on the territory of this state that archaeologists discovered the first official mentions of this part.
Content:
- From antiquity to modern times
- Principle of operation
- Features of manipulation
- Is there any practical benefit?
- When benefit turns into harm
- The effectiveness of the method for children
We are talking about the walls of the Kom Ombo temple, where objects were depicted that clearly resemble today's classic glass jars. And the temple itself was built approximately two thousand years ago.
The ancient Egyptians were well versed in the folk medicine of that time and cosmetology recipes, so such installations could often be found in the “suitcase” of the doctor of that time.
But since glass was previously an expensive material, many healers preferred more practical sets based on copper, bronze, and organic raw materials such as animal horns. In case of accidental overturning of such assistants, there was an increased probability of their safety without loss of original operational characteristics.
This culture was promoted by Asian healers, because on the territory of the Celestial Empire, four hundred years ago, people already knew exactly how to install the presented devices for massage purposes. There, instead of glass, preference was given to organic ceramics and the ubiquitous bamboo.
Among the relatively poor population, for whom a pharmacy was akin to going to a jewelry store, simply homemade tall cups for the tea ceremony were in demand.
It was Chinese doctors who realized how great the benefits of such a simple vacuum mechanism are for the treatment of many serious pathologies. For many years, Asian medical schools compiled something like atlases of the human body with the most sensitive energetic and biological points.
Thus, through trial and error, the sages were able to find out for which specific diseases treatment with such a specific approach would actually give significant results. They also developed official instructions on how to arrange a whole row of jars to achieve the desired result for a particular disease.
In Medieval Europe, the use of multi-level tactics was not so common. But over time, even the local barbers got used to using special pots.
Only instead of warming them up and activating vital points, they were preferred to be installed to speed up the bloodletting process. Even advanced doctors at that time used it. Today, scientists have proven that constant bloodletting only causes harm, because previously the procedures were carried out almost uncontrollably.
The 19th century saw breakthroughs in the use of the cupping approach. At that time, the doctor Nikolai Pirogov, well-known throughout Europe, was able to theoretically and practically prove that a heated and correctly installed jar can help with some deviations in health. The technique is called external vacuum aspiration. Its action is readily used by modern doctors even in the face of an abundance of modern alternatives.
Indications
The installation of cans is carried out after consultation with a doctor and an accurate diagnosis. After the inflammatory process has subsided and the temperature has returned to normal, glass vessels can be placed on the back. Therapeutic manipulations should be carried out for diseases or pathological conditions such as:
Kuznetsov applicator for the back
- respiratory diseases with an inflammatory component: pleurisy, at the resolution stage, pneumonia, bronchitis;
- pathologies of muscles and nerve trunks, with an inflammatory component;
- stagnation of fluid in the lungs, which is not accompanied by pronounced inflammation and high temperatures;
- for back pain and muscle spasms;
- headache;
- pathologies of the central nervous system;
- myositis, intercostal neuralgia, radiculitis.
Places for placing cans
Many patients are not particularly aware of which areas of the back they should be placed on, and whether they can be placed on the spine. Next we will describe where you can and cannot install them. The most common and permitted places for placing glass jars are:
- the anterior portion of the sternum, as well as the skin near the collarbone;
- on the sides of the chest;
- back in the sternum area;
- on the lower back.
The placement of cupping should be discussed with the doctor in order to avoid negative consequences.
Cupping is contraindicated:
- to the area where the heart and kidneys are located;
- spine;
- mammary glands in women.
Preparatory stage
Before installing the can, the patient is explained the technique of the medical procedure and the expected effect. If this method of reflexology is indicated for a child, then the presence of one of the parents is desirable. The patient is asked to undress to the waist, lie down or sit on the couch, and relax as much as possible.
Before the procedure, the skin is treated with antiseptic solutions. Their silicone containers are simply squeezed in the hand and placed on the back or neck.
Air is quickly burned out of glass jars with a special burner so that their surface does not have time to heat up.
Contraindications
Modern medicine has a very negative attitude towards this type of treatment, since most patients do not follow the recommendations of specialists and engage in self-medication. People believe that it is beneficial and there is absolutely no harm after using it. But you shouldn’t be so irresponsible about your health, since there are a number of serious contraindications for which you shouldn’t do this manipulation.
These include:
- increased body temperature;
- oncological pathologies;
- inflammatory process in the acute stage;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- general weakness of the body;
- violation of the integrity of the skin;
- internal bleeding;
- increased pigmentation, warts and moles.
If there is at least one point from the above, you should refrain from this procedure, as it is harmful to the patient’s health.
Massager for weight loss: which one to choose and how to use to get the desired result
To make the massage even more effective, you can use additional massagers, which are now available on the market in a large assortment. Among them are usually distinguished:
- Simple roller massagers, they can be made of plastic, wood or rubber.
- Electrical. Their impulses cause muscles to contract at a higher frequency than a person is capable of. Most often these are small electrodes with a separate power supply. Electrodes are attached to problem areas, and using the remote control you can adjust the frequency of contractions.
- With a warming effect. Increased temperature helps remove excess water from the body.
- Vacuum - they slightly retract the skin, the principle of operation is the same as that of cans.
- Professional devices are expensive salon devices.
Some manufacturers promise miracle results in a couple of days, but you shouldn’t expect sky-high results. First of all, it is worth objectively considering weight loss as a complex process that works in conjunction with several factors: proper nutrition, sufficient physical activity, but massages, going to the pool and any massagers can be an addition.
Step by step instructions
In order to place the cans correctly on your back, you need to perform a series of simple step-by-step manipulations. Before you start setting them up, you should check the edges of glass vessels for integrity, and do not use flammable liquids (acetone, kerosene, gasoline). Below is a detailed diagram of placing glass jars on the back.
- To carry out the manipulation, you will need about 6–7 clean jars, pre-washed in warm water. They must be completely dry. In addition, you will need: Vaseline, tweezers, cotton wool, alcohol, matches.
- Next, you need to prepare the patient. He needs to lie on his stomach. There should be a calm atmosphere around him. Before installing the cans, you need to lubricate his back with greasy cream or Vaseline.
- The tweezers, namely its edge, must be wrapped in cotton wool, immersed in ethyl alcohol, and slightly squeezed out the cotton wool.
- Next, you should light a homemade torch and place it inside a glass container for 2-3 seconds.
- The torch is quickly brought in and removed from the vessel, and the jar is placed on a certain area of the back. Similar movements should be done with the remaining containers.
Placing cups on a child has a similar algorithm. If the vessel is equipped with a rubber cylinder, then an open source of fire is not needed, which eliminates possible burns. The main thing is to place them correctly, while avoiding the spine area, maintaining a certain distance between them.
Many patients have a question: “How long can adults keep the cups on their backs, and is it necessary to cover them?” Yes, it is necessary to cover it, preferably with a warm and thick cloth, and then leave the patient alone for 15–20 minutes. In general, only the doctor decides how many minutes the cups need to be held. At the end of the time, the vessels must be removed. To do this, you should slightly lift the container on one side, while gradually letting air in.
Classic jars are best placed under the supervision of an experienced person to avoid possible burns.
If the patient is diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis, then glass containers should be placed in a sitting position. In addition, in the modern age of information technology, you can find a video about the correct placement of cans, where you can see in detail what and how.
Where you can and cannot place jars
The jars can be placed on smooth areas of skin without bony protrusions. The size of the jar must be selected depending on the desired area:
- from 50 mm and more - back, chest, stomach, buttocks;
- 33-45 mm - neck, arms, legs;
- 10-20 mm - face, feet, hands.
The sizes of the cans vary: in some sets there are cans of 110 mm and even 4 mm. The large diameter is suitable for wide areas, such as the buttocks. And the small diameter is for the face; they have a gentle effect on the skin without leaving marks.
It is best not to install cups on the following parts of the body: elbows, knees, armpits, groin area, chest, navel, those parts of the neck where the arteries pass.
Also, you should not place cups on the stomach or upper thighs during menstruation, since stimulation of these areas is undesirable at this time.
Duration of treatment
As mentioned above, glass vessels should be placed only on intact skin. If this manipulation has not been performed previously, then the first session should last no longer than 5 minutes. The course consists of 4–5 procedures, with a maximum duration of no more than 20 minutes.
Why can't you keep it longer? If the exposure time is over 20 minutes, then the back after the cans may have dark spots, which indicates that they were overexposed. This is a sign that the skin is damaged, so before the next procedure you should take a break for a day. It is not recommended to place jars twice in the same place.
From all of the above, it becomes clear why to use cans, how to install them correctly, and also that they are not always useful, and in some cases you should refrain from installing them. This applies to those patients in whom the inflammatory process is in the acute stage, as well as elevated temperature. You should not self-medicate. Before any manipulation, you should visit a doctor and find out his opinion on this matter.
Cupping massage
In order to improve blood circulation and get rid of cosmetic skin problems, you can use cupping massage. Combined specimens made of glass and polyvinyl chloride, silicone, latex, the volume of which can vary from 40 to 200 ml, are well suited for this purpose.
The massage procedure using cupping looks like this:
- pre-rinse purchased jars;
- treat hands with antiseptic;
- apply cream to the massage area;
- take the jar in your hands, release the air from it and press it to the skin, abruptly removing your hands from it;
- after installing all copies, hold the jar with your fingers, making movements in a circle, gradually moving towards the lymph nodes located in the neck area ( Attention ! It is prohibited to perform massage on the nodes );
- continue exposure for 10-30 minutes, during which the patient should feel warmth and a little burning, but in no case a drop of discomfort.