Seasonal TCM Considerations — Summer
Fire Season Healing: How Cupping Therapy Can Assist Your Health this Summer
As June draws to a close, we welcome the arrival of summer. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this vibrant season is associated with the element of fire, representing a time of heightened energy and abundant activity.
TCM emphasizes aligning with the natural rhythm of each season. In TCM, the heart is considered the primary organ associated with summer and plays a crucial role in governing our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being during this time.
Various TCM therapies can help to harmonise the body’s energy throughout this fiery season. Among these, fire cupping can offer targeted relief for a range of summer ailments such as excessive heat, mental restlessness, swelling, and muscular tension.
What Is Fire Cupping?
Fire cupping is a fundamental TCM modality that involves the application of heated glass cups placed onto the skin. A flame briefly heats the air inside the cup, creating a vacuum as it cools. Once placed on the skin, this vacuum draws the skin and underlying tissues into the cup. Different techniques including stationary, moving, or flash cupping may be employed during treatment.
The Potential Benefits of Cupping Therapy:
Balancing Yin and Yang
Health in TCM hinges on maintaining a fine balance between Yin and Yang. Summer signifies peak Yang energy. Excess warming, active energy (Yang) can deplete cooling, passive energy (Yin), leading to symptoms such as restlessness and fever. Research suggests cupping enhances blood circulation and purges toxins from the body, making it effective in drawing out pathogenic heat and regulating the flow of Qi (life force energy) and blood, thereby restoring harmony between these opposing forces.
Alleviating Muscular Pain and Tension
Increased activities in summer such as sports, gardening, and travel can induce muscular strain and tension. Cupping, using suction rather than pressure, stimulates muscles, enhances local blood flow, stretches soft tissues, loosens adhesions, and renews connective tissue. This can be beneficial in alleviating and assisting in the healing of summer-related aches and pains.
Enhancing Circulation
Summer commonly brings swelling and water retention, especially in the extremities. Cupping can improve blood circulation and lymphatic flow, promoting interstitial fluid movement and supporting the body's ability to eliminate waste and toxins efficiently. These effects can be advantageous in humid climates and during late summer, where summer heat and dampness can combine to create a ‘damp-heat’ environment within the body.
Promoting Relaxation and Mental Clarity
Summers rising commitments and temperatures can trigger fatigue. In TCM, summer corresponds to joy and connection, and we are encouraged to embrace these expansive emotions. However, the heart, considered the main organ of this season, can be prone to imbalance, leading to burnout or agitation. Cupping is considered to engage the parasympathetic nervous system, shifting the body from a state of 'fight or flight' to 'rest and digest.’ Fostering regular relaxation can help to preserve a harmonious inner fire and prevent excessive emotions transforming into anger and joylessness.
Preparing for Cupping Therapy in Summer
In TCM, Cupping therapy can be performed as a standalone treatment or serves as a valuable complement to acupuncture. It's common to notice temporary circular marks on the skin after a session; these are normal and a sign of its effectiveness. For those seeking the therapeutic benefits of cupping without having to showcase visible marks during summer activities or special occasions, consider scheduling sessions a few weeks in advance to help achieve the desired balance between wellness and lifestyle this fire season.