High blood pressure – also known as hypertension – is one of the most prevalent health conditions, affecting millions worldwide. It’s the reason why every drug store and pharmacy now has a station for checking your blood pressure. It’s the reason why people are now constantly monitoring their cholesterol levels. The factors that lead to high blood pressure are many, including diet, lifestyle, age, and stress, but it can be cured. And one of the safest, most non-invasive ways to cure hypertension is cupping.
What Causes Hypertension?
In basic terms, high blood pressure is generally caused by the thickening of blood in the veins and arteries. This causes the blood to become heavier, and it does not flow as freely as it should. Another cause is a higher-than-average volume of blood circulating in the body. High cholesterol can also lead to blood pressure, as cholesterol accumulating on the walls of arteries can cause them to become narrower, which then leads to poor blood flow. In all cases, the heart is forced to expend more energy maintaining proper blood flow in the body. This results in hypertension.
High blood pressure affects millions worldwide. The symptoms of hypertension are quite varied, but will include:
- Severe headaches
- Vision problems
- Chest pains
- Blood in urine
- Irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
The Western Medical Approach
As is the case with many health conditions, modern medicine often relies on pills to lower blood pressure and “cure” hypertension. Unfortunately, as we all know, with pills come the dreaded side effects. And pills for hypertension have some of the worst side effects of them all. Patients taking pills for blood pressure have complained of the following side effects:
- Dry cough
- Headaches
- Swollen ankles
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Fatigue
It is a common irony found in many conventional medical treatments: often the treatment (pills and medication) for one condition can leave the patient with other conditions.
How Cupping Works to Relieve Hypertension
First, your TCM doctor will determine which cupping procedure is best for you: wet or dry. Click here for a description of dry cupping treatment. When treating hypertension, wet cupping is usually recommended. Wet cupping involves the placement of a vacuumed cup on specific points of your body. The result of this treatment will be the appearance of bruises on the skin, as the cupping vacuum forces toxins and impurities to the skin’s surface. Often, especially if an illness or health condition is present, small blisters will also appear. Your doctor will then use a sterile needle or small scalpel to gently prick the skin and the blisters. This will allow the bad blood and impurities to flow out. Another cup will then be placed on the area, suctioning the toxins from the bloodstream.
Cupping is safe, natural, and effective at curing hypertension.
At the end of the treatment, your practitioner will apply an ointment and sterile gauze, allowing the nicks and bruises to heal quickly. The bruises will heal within a few days, and then no scarring will occur. Your TCM doctor will have a full consultation with you before the treatment to decide on the best form of cupping to use, and the points on the body to be used. Some common body points for cupping include:
- Base of the neck
- Inner calf
- Inner thigh, above the knee
- Two points on the back
- Outer side of knees
- Upper section of the foot
By drawing the thicker blood out of the bloodstream, cupping therapy allows for the lighter blood to circulate more freely through the body. This results in lowered blood pressure. Research has also shown that cupping can better regulate and balance the salt and potassium levels in your blood. Simply put, too much salt (sodium) can increase your blood pressure, while potassium can help lower it. You have to find the right balance, and cupping helps fins that balance. It is safe, relatively painless, and very effective. And your blood will be very happy.
And if you are suffering from high blood pressure or hypertension, and would like to try cupping as a safe way of relieving your symptoms, or are interested in any other aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine, book an appointment today by phoning 604-260-2713 or visit our location.
