If health really is wealth, then why aren’t we chasing it with the same gusto that we chase a 50% sale at our favorite designer store? Knock on Google or ask an expert and both will agree that our outer beauty is a reflection of our inner well-being. Our lives are running on a linear tangent with 9-5 sufferings topped with an added dose of stress, sinning twice over by eating junk and avoiding the gym and as a result, a constant feeling of exhaustion has become an acceptable norm. These habits come with a huge price tag as they trigger the build-up of toxins in the body, which adversely affects our physique in the forms of premature ageing, obesity, anxiety, hormonal imbalance and other modern lifestyle disorders.
But, have you ever wondered how the Iranians, Arabs, Greeks, and Egyptians manage to look radiant all the time, in spite of living in a pressure cooker called the 21st century? This blog will help you uncover the secret to their beauty and health.
Ever since 3000 BC, the cupping therapy has been practised extensively around the world. Known as Hijama (Arabic: حجامة) in its native language, it is a kind of detox therapy that promotes inner well-being by the elimination of deep-seated toxins in the body.
My first-hand experience of the extensive benefits of the cupping therapy is what has made me a loyal customer of the Cleopatra’s Spa in Dubai. And since I believe that health and hygiene are an inseparable part of leading a happy life, I have decided to collaborate with Dr Benazir Quraishi who is a renowned expert in this field. This association is solely attributed to the fact that I want my clients at The White Door to reap the extensive benefits of the cupping therapy, and see the positive results like I did.
Since cupping involves making minor incisions on the skin and discharging the toxic blood, it is highly recommended that the treatment is done by a reputed doctor who is knowledgeable about the therapy. It’s a serious procedure and if not done by a professional, your experience might not be as pleasant as mine.
Important factors you need to know about the procedure –
- There are three types of cupping
Before you decide on the type of cupping you should be go for, it is vital to understand your body. Speak with an expert about your requirements and she/he will help you make an informed decision which, in my case, was Dr Benazir.
When I first took a cupping session, my body was battling the ills of the hectic schedules faced by every working woman. Basically, peak stress levels added to a body already fighting the hormonal changes that girls go through in their early years. I was advised to go for a combination of wet and dry cupping, repeated sessions of both bought noticeable positive changes in my body while alleviating hormonal issues to a large extent. Now, I take less stress and give more!
Okay, jokes apart, let me briefly narrate my cupping experience at the Cleopatra’s Spa.
Listed amongst the top 30 spas of Dubai, the Cleopatra’s Spa emanates luxury from every corner. After heading to the treatment room, I slipped out my robe and lay flat on the bed, face down. After small suction cups were placed on different parts of my body for about 3 to 5 minutes, the air within them was sucked out, creating a vacuum effect. This caused a dilation of the blood vessels. Though I was a bit apprehensive at first, the entire process was rather painless.
The doctor then took off the cups and made small incisions on my skin to extract the toxic blood, after which they were replaced and the suction process was repeated for one last time.
Still here reading about blood and incisions? Pat yourself on the back for you indeed are a brave soul! I can imagine that the process I just described might make a few of you feel squeamish but in reality, it just felt like miniscule pinpricks.
As you would’ve already guessed, the treatment is extensive and it does deplete you of energy once complete. To jump start the recovery, I was advised to drink pomegranate juice, consume fish and greens, and keep away from red meat, alcohol, and any kind of sugar or desserts for the next 3 to 5 days.
Cupping is an ancient practice and can be a cure for serious ailments. From PCOD and infertility to insomnia, headache, and digestive abnormalities, it can be the answer to whatever issues you are facing. If the treatment is taken as infrequently as once in four months, you’ll be amazed at the changes in your body and as a result, in your lifestyle. It’ll improve blood circulation, relieve pain and stress, and induce physical healing by strengthening the immune system.
On an important note, this treatment is not advisable for people on medication for cardiac illnesses or ischemic heart diseases, blood thinning, uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension, etc. If in doubt, a consultation with a professional practitioner is always the right step forward.
Widen the scope of your healthy practices and include cupping therapy for a happier healthier life.
