Cupping therapy can be used from the head all the way down to the feet. One of the areas of particular focus in cupping is the head, neck and face, as these are often the areas of pain and dysfunction. Therefore, head cupping can be used to treat many problems, such as headaches and sinusitis. Dear reader, follow the article to know the benefits of cupping the head and what are its risks?

Benefits of cupping the head and face

Cupping therapy has many benefits, especially when using head cupping. They help better blood flow to the brain, thus showing the following benefits:

• Removing bad blood through a suction system using special cups that can be made of glass or silicone.
• Cupping contributes to relaxation and relieves pain and tension in the head, face and neck area, especially for people who suffer from lymphatic system problems that affect the head.
• Reducing congestion caused by thyroiditis.
• Reducing headache attacks.
• Reducing migraine symptoms.
• Reducing symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Benefits of cupping for a headache

Different types of headaches can be treated by cupping therapy in certain areas of the patient’s face and neck, but before applying the treatment, some essential oils such as lavender are applied to act as natural pain relievers on the skin, and these oils help move the cups easily.

Wet cupping is especially used in the treatment of tension headaches and migraines. Studies have proven that about 70 patients suffering from chronic tension or migraine headaches have been treated with wet cupping.

Examples of types of headaches that cupping can treat are:

• Sinus headache.
• Cluster headache.
• Migraines.
• Tension headache.

Prepare for head cupping

The preparation for head cupping lies through massage; In order to facilitate the drainage of blood, many traditional and effective massage methods work by gently stretching the neck, and require an upward movement to the occipital ridge (the occipital bone is a leathery bone in the skull and the main bone of the back of the head is semi-curved).

Is head cupping effective?

Despite the use of cupping therapy as a form of alternative medicine, there is still a need for more studies to confirm its effectiveness in treating diseases. It is also considered by many physicians as a complementary therapy.

In addition, cupping therapy is not recognized as part of Western medicine, but this does not mean that cupping is ineffective, but a doctor should be consulted before starting any type of alternative medicine.

Warnings before undergoing head cupping

Head cupping is usually considered safe when used, but there are some people who should not use cupping, in addition to some cases, including:

• children.
• Elderly.
• People with abnormal areas of skin, such as areas that are inflamed or irritated, or the skin over arteries, veins, or lymph nodes.
• People who take anticoagulant medications, which are the same as blood thinners; For fear of bleeding and anemia.
• Pregnant woman throughout pregnancy.
• People with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, and blood clotting problems, such as deep vein thrombosis.
• People with a history of stroke.
• People with skin diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis.
• Those suffering from epileptic seizures.
• people with cancer.
• Those who suffer from certain heart diseases.

What are the risks of cupping the head?

Cupping is a safe treatment if it is performed in the right way and in the right place. However, there are some risks and side effects that may affect people after cupping therapy.

The risks of head cupping include:

1. Bleeding in the skull

Intracranial bleeding is one of the rare risks that may occur immediately after head cupping. The bleeding occurs as a result of excessive expansion of the blood vessels within the brain resulting from cupping, which helps to increase blood flow.

2. Anemia

Anemia is one of the risks that may occur as a result of repeated cupping, especially wet cupping. This happens because every time you do cupping you lose a certain amount of blood, so continuing cupping therapy may lead to an increase in the possibility of anemia.

3. Exacerbation of skin problems

Head cupping may lead to a continuous change in skin color for weeks, in addition to the appearance of scars and burns in the head area. Head cupping may also play a role in exacerbating eczema and psoriasis problems if you have it.

Important notice; The person in charge of cupping therapy must be a specialist, so that you do not suffer any serious side effects during treatment. You should also consult your doctor before undergoing cupping if you suffer from a special health problem.