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A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Irvington, NY

If you have tried gua sha or cupping, what was your experience?

August 19, 2015
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Answer Summary

Members shared mixed experiences with gua sha and cupping for fibromyalgia pain, with some finding real relief from knot release and increased... Read more

Members shared mixed experiences with gua sha and cupping for fibromyalgia pain, with some finding real relief from knot release and increased blood flow despite dramatic bruising that looked alarming but faded within a week, while others found cupping left them in worse pain for days afterward. Several members emphasized the critical importance of finding an experienced, reputable practitioner who takes time with each patient, with one member warning against rushed sessions after suffering painful blisters from cups left on too long. A recurring theme was that results varied widely from person to person, with some swearing by these techniques and others finding acupuncture or Reiki more helpful, reinforcing that managing fibromyalgia often requires trial and error to discover what works for each individual body.

A MyFibroTeam Member

Yes, I have had cupping done and I loved it. It really helped me. I've had this done by 4 different acupuncturists. You have to really be selective to who you go to and that they really know what they are doing. Each has their own style. Two different methods;

1) is of cupping with the fire/flame within the cup for suction on your back..it doesn't hurt..feels very good with heat. Increases blood flow and helps with detox. The flame never touches your skin, it's just for suction heat. With this method the acupuncturist at times would put the suction cup over a needle in an area that was tight and hard... lacking blood flow. Afterwards he would then take the cups and MOVE them over my entire back doing a CUPPING MASSAGE. This felt sooooo good. I really loved it. Be prepared to pay at least $85-$105 per acupuncture/cupping treatment. Anyone that charges less than this be very wary of their credentials and experience. An acupuncturist charging me $60 left BIG half dollar size blisters as she left them on too long on me and was tending to another patient. She was herding patients in overlapping patient time to make more money. Be careful of "hearding like cattle" type of acupuncturists. I couldn't lay down or shower it was so painful. Had to go to ER.

2) The second cupping method I've experienced is not the flame but rather a pressure gun (click/clip) that allows the cup suction action. I find the old original traditional flame/fire/heat cupping method is better.

Cupping will leave circular "hicky" like rings on your back BUT it will fade away within a week.
They say the stronger in color and darkness of the ring is when the most toxicity has been removed and or blood flow needed. I had "light colored" rings in the areas of my neck and back that were not problem areas BUT my biggest problem areas with pain had DARKER rings that took longer time to fade.

Worth trying. Find a good traditional acupuncturist in your area. Ask questions. YouTube has a lot of videos that you can see how this works. Hope all this helps.

September 15, 2015
A MyFibroTeam Member

I had cupping and found it painful afterward. My back was covered in what looked like giant hickies from the cups which was bruising. It looked like I had been abducted by aliens!

August 20, 2015
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member My acupuncturist recommended Reiki. As I wasn't sure what it was, I took a Chakra Reading Reiki Workshop before having it done. The class was great. My Reiki session was helpful but the results did not last long.

August 20, 2015
A MyFibroTeam Member

No I did not unfortunately. I never had it done again. I did't find acupuncture useful either, although I found it oddly relaxing and I loved the Acupuncturist. She was a Dr. of Traditional Chinese Medicine who worked in China for 20 years before coming to Canada. She really taught me a lot. The only reason I stopped going is because she wanted me to buy her a and supplements all the time that I was too afraid to take. I talked to her a few times about it and she wouldn't stop insisting!

August 20, 2015
A MyFibroTeam Member

Scraping of skin with a tool and oil. Makes fibromyalgia knots/heat/stagnation visible. Also releases pain. Looks awful immediately after; feels great. Curious about the long term effect.
http://m.videojug.com/film/how-to-perform-gua-sha

August 19, 2015

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A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Vancouver, BC