12-Cup Biomagnetic Chinese Cupping Therapy Set

ADHESIONS PAIN RELIEF: My massage therapist tried cupping for my severe, post-surgical abdominal adhesions. I have painful scar tissue snaking all over my hips attachments, bladder, intestines, groin etc. I'd tried EVERYTHING short of surgery for relief. I do yoga 6 times a week. I went to PT for months. Numerous doctors including pain management. Nothing helped. I was seriously considering suicide, couldn't work, and was miserable sitting or driving.Until we tried cupping. After 16 months of pain, I started to feel "different" after cupping. Not much "better" at first, but I could tell it was stretching out and breaking up the scaring. I bought these so I could continue treatment between massage appointments. I can tell virtually no difference between his "professional" kit and this one. It hurt at first and caused wicked bruising. But soon it brought significant pain relief. And everything felt less "tight." The pain and urgency of my bladder disappeared completely which was a huge lifestyle boost. Everything else is feeling better now too. I just need to not overdo it. I'm basically tearing scar tissue so I need to let it heal between cupping sessions.I leave the cups on anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. When I feel relief or it's not really stretching anymore, I take them off. Oh, I did remove the magnets so I wouldn't have gouges in my skin. I suck up a ton of skin/muscle/fat in the cups and need as much room as possible.It's probably worth noting that I'm pretty thin which makes a difference I suspect. I'm not sure someone with abdominal fat would be able to get to the underlying scar tissue with cups...at least not much. I can feel the thick bands and lumps of scar tissue in my abdomen with my fingers easily. And since i started cupping, the tissue as broken up in places such that it feels like I have pea gravel under my skin. Gross but it hurts less.ANKLE INJURY: I also cup an old ankle injury where there's a ton of VERY dense scarring. I've probably achieved a couple of extra degrees of range of motion just from the cups. That's a big deal for a yoga teacher. These are definitely more effective than PT. Surgery would probably be best, but this is alot cheaper with less risk.FEET/REFLEXOLOGY: I've also tried them on the bottom of my feet WITH the magnets at various reflexology points. I'm not sure about the reflexology aspect of it, but it's definitely good for my feet. I teach yoga and spend most of my time barefoot. But most people don't really strengthen or stretch their feet....but should. If you won't try yoga, at least puts some cups on your feet. You'll need lotion to get good suction.SUMMARY: I wouldn't blindly use these or expect miracles. Move, stretch, strengthen first. But if you understand your body, these can be a good supplement. And for all my fellow ARD (adhesions related disorder) sufferers, TRY IT. You never know, it might be a huge source of much needed relief for a horribly frustrating condition.

Inside the box there is a VCD (chinese language only), and instruction book (both Chinese and English). I understand Chinese so I watched the VCD. Even if you do not understand Chinese, watch the initial part - someone did a demo how to put the cup on the skin and use the gun to pump, and how to remove the pump, then how to release air. The rest of the VCD talked about how to take care of your health in each of the 4 seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, WInter) such as what to eat, how to dress, etc.I did not read the instruction book, but did my own internet research on where to put the cups to treat different problems. I heard from a friend who grow up with cupping therapy suggest put the cups (the big ones) on the back is the safest place, and put them on the place where there are "meat", not bones. I did this for my son (9 year old) who has asthma to clear up debris on the back by putting 6 cups (3 each side) near chest area.The suction guns are powerful, and just two pumps I see the skin raised almost to the silver point inside the cup. Two pumps are usually enough to get results. I used this for my son who got sick often and even after getting well he would continue to have dry cough that usually drag for weeks. I used the cups 10 min each time before bed time on the back when he was at the dry cough stage. I did my own research what meridian points on the back I should place the cups. The first time I did this I saw good results. He started to cough out phlem instead of dry cough, and after one week he totally stopped coughing and there was no more restriction in breathing. You may see the skin turned red or purple (like a pepperoni) and I read that was normal. That color change was due to "debris" and the cups cleaned them out. From my experience, the peppeoni went away in a few days. I used the cups for 7 days and my son's cough was less and less. After 10 days I no longer need the cups. I am sure I will use it again next time he get sick.The cups does not suck well on elbow joints, knee joints, legs, or ankles. And I do not find much use of the small size cups yet. I read that they are for face, or for babies, and I have been using the big and medium size cups. So far I only use them on the back and only need 5-6 cups, and got good results, and I am happy with them. Also after applying the cup, don't move, or they will fall out. My experience is that you definite need a second person to hold the cup and angle the gun right on top of the cup to suck. After you remove the cup, the skin may feel itchy so have some cream, lotion, or massage oil ready to rub a little bit to make you feel more comfortable.I dropped the cups a few times on hardwood floor from about 2-3 feet high and luckily they did not break. But it is hard plastic so there is a chance it will break if you drop it on very hard surfaces.