Types and Styles of Acupuncture

What is acupuncture? How many types and styles of acupuncture are there? 

There are many different types and styles of acupuncture from different regions in Asia. 

Today we’re going to talk about two specific types, traditional Chinese acupuncture and cupping therapy. We’ll go over why they are significant, their benefits as well as why they are considered complementary.

What is Acupuncture? 

Firstly, what is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a system of integrative medicine originating from ancient China, and is now widely practiced in the US. The patient’s skin or muscles are pricked with needles used to alleviate pain and treat a variety of physical, mental, and emotional conditions. The needles are as thin as a human hair, sterile, and single use. This makes it rare for patients to feel any pain when being treated with acupuncture. The disposable nature of acupuncture needles makes infection nearly impossible.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture is the most widely practiced acupuncture style in the west and what we specialize at SOHMA integrative medicine in Long Beach CA. Traditional Chinese acupuncture has gained worldwide acceptance and is recognized as an effective treatment for many conditions including:

• Muscle pain
• Tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Dental pain
• Injuries
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Sprains
• Headaches and Migraines

And many other conditions involving recovery, mental health, and overall wellness.

What is Cupping?

Now, what is cupping?

Much like traditional Chinese acupuncture, cupping therapy originates from ancient Asia.  Although popular in its country of origin, cupping therapy has gained popularity in the west after many athletes and celebrities were seen with round marks on their backs during publicized events.

Cupping is a form of acupuncture though without using needles. It uses a similar method of targeting specific areas to help alleviate the patient from pain or other conditions. Cupping therapy uses cups heated with fire or connected to a pump to create negative pressure on the skin. The skin, muscle, fascia, and other soft tissues are then pulled into the cup. It pulls tension up which can sedate the nervous system, and encourage blood flow. With the increased blood flow toxins can be flushed and blockages cleared. Cupping can be used to relieve pain and aid in the healing of the following conditions:

• Muscle Pain
• Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain
• Relaxes Stiff Muscles
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Migraines and Headaches

Cupping therapy has been thought to penetrate up to 4 inches deep for amazing deep tissue recovery. Making cupping therapy one of the best forms of deep tissue therapies out there.  It can be used in the hands, wrists, legs, and ankles allowing for specific healing in almost any body part.

How Acupuncture and Cupping Therapy Compliment Each Other

There is a famous Chinese saying that states “Acupuncture and cupping more than half of the ills cured”. Meaning that nearly half of all ailments could be treated with acupuncture and cupping in ancient China.

The reason cupping therapy and acupuncture work well together is because they help heal similar conditions in different ways. Our professionals at SOHMA will work closely with our patients to determine what kind of treatment they should take part in. or if a combination of treatments is recommended in order to best serve their health goals. 

By combining cupping and acupuncture you get the best of both worlds. The suction and negative pressure caused by cupping can be released using acupuncture. Cupping can be done first to relax abnormally tight muscles which can make it easier to insert acupuncture needles. Normally cupping and acupuncture is done one before the other, however, depending on the case they may be done at the same time. Together, they increase blood flow to the affected area, thus increasing the body’s natural healing.

 Ultimately the choice is yours, and you should choose what works best for your body and mind.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.