Ancient Chinese Secret: Cupping Therapy

   The effectiveness of the art of ancient Chinese healing has long been debated in western culture.  Acupuncture and "cupping" are often thought of by doctors to have more of a placebo effect then actual healing.  I myself have always been fascinated by the idea of Chinese healing, if for no other reason than the fact that I have been a fanatic of the kung fu movie genre ever since I saw Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon" for the first time as a child.

   Due to a long bout with shoulder pain, that was diagnosed as bursitis or possible tendinitis of the left shoulder, I experienced Eastern medical treatment for the first time.  After months of shoulder pain and sleepless nights that went along with it, I visited my family doctor who preceded with x-rays and prescription pain and inflammation medication.  I was told that if the medication did not help the next step was to be an MRI of my shoulder to verify the problem, further doctors visits and treatments was eventually going to cost a pretty penny.  Being a man of the internet generation and somewhat of a hypochondriac skilled in the art of researching every disease that I think I have, I took to Google to research my ailment and the art of Chinese healing, having just seen the new "Karate Kid" with Jayden Smith and Jackie Chan, I was intrigued at the thought of healing my aching shoulder with fire and sweet looking tricks.  Through many articles and of course Wikipedia, I found that acupuncture was commonly used to treat bursitis and tendinitis, my search engine then led me to a McAllen Acupuncture and Message Clinic.  Despite my fading fear of needles, I convinced my lovely fiance to take a trip with me to visit the Clinic.

   My first treatment went fairly well, the needles didn't hurt at all but some did feel a bit uncomfortable.  The treatment lasted thirty minutes and immediate after the needles were removed I felt a bit of relief.  I have to admit I was hoping to experience a miraculous recovery, I was a bit disappointed, but I was determined to see the treatment through and find out if it worked for myself.  Two to three more treatments were needed before I would start to feel a real difference so four days later I was back in the chair ready for my second treatment.
   This time I was offered "cupping" to be added to my acupuncture treatment, I accepted.  After the needles were inserted, a box of some eighteen to twenty glass cups were brought out.  The good doctor lit a flame on what looked like a cotton ball held together by chopsticks and began inserting the flam in each cup and sticking them to my skin.  The cups surprisingly were not hot and were left on for fifteen minutes and other than a slight discomfort there was no real pain.  Once the cups were removed my back and shoulder looked as if I was in a wrestling match with an octopus.  Fortunately my very willing younger brother was happy to accompany me and be my personal photographer of my treatment.  The theory behind cupping is that the suction is used to draw blood flow to the affected area to flush capillary beds, also mobilizing and stretching soft tissue, loosening restricting areas.  Well when my treatment was over and the needles pulled out I actually felt that my shoulder was much better.  Due to unfortunate family circumstances I wasn't able to to continue more treatment, but my shoulder is doing much better now, although not at 100% it is very close and finally feeling able to begin strength training again.
    Despite the skepticism surrounding this type of treatment I highly recommend it.  There is no harm in trying something new and forgive the cliche, but you never know until you try.