Ancient practice offers relief from stress

The tell-tale marks of the ancient Chinese practice known as cupping have been popping up on the backs of many a celebrity of late.

Now this holistic treatment trend has been helping to relax some of Rockingham’s most stressed-out workers.

The treatment is based on the theory that pressurised glass cups held against the skin stimulate the bloodstream and lymphatic system, Rockingham-based acupuncturist Dr Baki Cil said. He said the treatment, which is usually offered as part of a traditional acupuncture session, encouraged toxins to the surface of the skin by stimulating the soft tissue beneath.

“Cupping is excellent for the immune system because it creates space and reduces stiffness, which has a positive affect on pain and tiredness,” Dr Cil said.

“It all comes down to unblocking the channels — Chinese medicine believes it can help with anything from flu to cancer.”

Dr Cil said he turned his back on Western medicine several years ago to focus on delivering holistic therapies to his patients.

Treatment recipient Peter, who did not want his surname revealed, said he began attending weekly acupuncture and cupping sessions with Dr Cil in August and had never looked back.

“I would never have gone to something like this before, but now I visit Baki every Wednesday — I call it my midweek recharge,” he said.

“I had a skin condition on my hands that dermatologists weren’t able to cure, but within a few acupuncture and cupping sessions it started to fade.”