Naudi was discussing the tendencies some people have with their feet slightly rotating inward as a result of lack of flexibility and just plain improper use of our feet as a result of modern living.

In the video, he used this cupping kit that he bought for $13 online. This  was the first time that I had actually thought of self administered treatment when it comes to these types of modalities.

We are all familar with myofascial release via a foam roller or even using something as simple as a golf ball on the bottom of the foot, but I never thought that I could administer cupping myself.

I first had experienced hands on treatment during an accupunture treatment while live in San Diego. The accupuncturist used a mix of cupping along with accupucnture.

That was back in 2001.

Fast forward some 15 years later, and I am now a huge fan of cupping.

As a result of Naudi I bought a cupping kit, and I have never looked back.

I wantd to write an article on cupping but thought it might make more sense to get one of the world’s foremost experts on the subject,   Ilkay Zihni Chirali MBAcC & RCHM (UK).

Ilkay is an author, teacher, and practicioner, having practiced cupping for some 25 plus years.

According to Ilkay, here is a short brief on what is cupping and how does it work,

“What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy has been around for several thousands of years! Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Ottomans, Chinese, Australian Aboriginals and American Indians all used and still use cupping therapy in their traditional ways. Cupping was also popular in West between the years 1600 and 1930s.

The founder of today’s Royal Free and Royal Marsden Hospitals in London, surgeon William Marsden (1796-1867), employed paid cupping surgeons in his Royal Free Hospital in Gray’s Inn Road London, during the 1830s (Cupping Therapy, Ilkay Zihni Chirali, Churchill Livingstone (Elsevier) first published 1999, second edition 2007 & third edition 2014). The British Science Museum and some hospitals in London and around the country have good selection of cupping equipment!

How does it work?

Cupping works through the power of suction, which is created either by introducing a flame into the cup, or by manually extracting the air from the cup. The controlled suction creates a negative pressure inside the cup. This negative pressure causes energetic and physical activities to take place!

Together with the skin, the fascia where the blood vessels, glands, nerves, ligaments and tendons are wrapped in, is lifted and moved against the atmospheric gravity, towards the suction. This conflicting gravity trick helps to kick-start the healing process into action! Cupping also helps remove the Cold as well as the excess Heat (fever) from the body, promotes blood and fluid circulation, activates the lymphatic system and helps in the elimination of toxins through the skin.”

So that is a brief description on cupping, I am super excited to have with us, Ilkay Zihni Chirali for this very special interview.

It is an honor and privilege, thank you Ilkay, to begin…

Could you tell our readers a little bit about your background and how you got into cupping?

I was born in Cyprus into a traditional Turkish midwifery family. Both my Great-Grandmother and Grand-Mother, from my father’s side, were renowned midwifes in the Paphos region of Cyprus. They both used Herbs as well as Cupping to treat ladies seeking their help.

After graduating from the High school in Paphos in 1964, I left Cyprus in 1967 in order to pursue my higher education goals abroad. This journey took me to Ankara and Istanbul in Turkey, Malmo, Sweden and London, England. Looking for a “new life”, in 1982 we decided emigrated to Melbourne, Australia with my wife and two children.

In Melbourne Australia I was introduced to the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture through my wife’s back complaint! I witnessed first-hand how acupuncture was able to get rid of my wife’s many months-long suffering! This incident prompted me to investigate Acupuncture further which led me to study the subject and qualify as an Acupuncturist in 1985.

During my studies I was surprised to see the cupping administration during the acupuncture sessions. All this time I assumed (wrongly) that Cupping was a traditional Turkish folklore remedy! I was so familiar with the procedure that my Professor Dr Wong, asked me to administer cupping therapy to all his patients following acupuncture treatment!

In 1987 we returned back to England and have been practicing Acupuncture and Cupping Therapy in my Bexleyheath clinic where I treat children as well adults. I have been teaching Cupping Therapy Globally for the past 25 years. The first edition of my “Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping Therapy” book was published in 1999 second edition in 2007 and the third edition in 2014. by Churchill Livingstone (Elsevier Ltd) and translated into five languages (German, French, Portuguese (Brasil), Czech and Greek).

Health and well being can be subjective in your 30 plus years practicing how would you define successful health and well being in one sentence?

Be smart and practice Balancing your life—Do Not Overdo! (Do not over indulge: eat, exercise, work, study, enjoy, sleep & sex!)

Why do you feel nowadays more and more people around the world are turning to cupping rather than the allopathic western medicine to solve their health care issues?

Cupping Therapy is a fast and effective medium at regulating and improving the flow of blood and the lymphatic system bringing almost immediate benefit to the user.

 You are a recognized leader in cupping having written many books that have inspired people around the world who has inspired you?

Both my Great-Grand Mother and Grand Mother as well as Prof Wong of Academy of Chinese Medicine Melbourne Australia, during my studies with him.

What are some popular myths or just down right misconceptions exist when it comes to cupping?

Down right misconceptions: Cupping cures cancer!

As a fan of cupping treatment I am somewhat bias but why do you feel we need to incorporate this type of treatment into our health regimen?

It’s easy to administer, cost effective and the benefits are vast.

If you could thank three people who would they be and what would you say to each of them?

1- Sir Ernest Shackleton the great explorer, for his extraordinary commitment, pain, suffering and endurance.

2- Nelson Mandela the remarkable South African revolutionary, for his belief in human rights and equality

3- All my Teachers around the Globe for sharing their wisdom with me.

What motivates or drives you to continue sharing the huge and enormous benefits if cupping?

My main aim and goal is to teach Safe Cupping methods to all alternative and complementary practitioners as well as the main-stream Health professionals such as the Physiotherapist, sports massage and the beauty therapist.

What question should have I asked you; why is this question important and what is the answer?

Why cupping marks (bruising) appear following a cupping session?
A) Cupping marks following a cupping session is quite normal, particularly after the first visit. Sometimes the practitioner fails to judge the suction or the pressure inside the cup which can result in bruising the local tissues. This can last up to two weeks and should be avoided completely if possible.

Wishing all your readers Best of Health.
Ilkay Zihni Chirali MBAcC & RCHM (UK)
www.cuppingtherapy-hejama.co.uk

Thanks Ilkay, I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview.