Why in the USSR all diseases were treated with banks, although there was no effect

Those who lived in the USSR as children may remember people with characteristic round bruises on their chests and backs. These are the marks from the banks used to treat many diseases.

Nowadays, this practice can be found only in specialized centers of traditional medicine and in some massage parlors. OBOZ.UA figured out where the jars came from in the Soviet Union, what they were used for, and why they never helped with anything.

Why banks became popular in the USSR

Soviet medicine was, to put it mildly, very specific. Doctors received a large number of patients, received a very modest salary for their hard work, and were given very few materials and drugs for their work due to a total shortage. That's why the doctors were so nervous and tense and often communicated with patients and rudely performed procedures. Add to this the lack of anesthesia for most procedures, bitter medicines without shells, and the particularly depressing environment of Soviet hospitals, and you can understand why people in the USSR preferred to be treated any way they could to avoid "advanced" medicine.

Where did banks come from?

This practice was most likely borrowed from Chinese traditional medicine. According to its principles, the use of cans improves blood microcirculation in tissues, increases the body's defenses, reduces pain, and speeds up recovery.

To place a jar, a vacuum is created in it using alcohol and fire, and then the object is immediately applied to the body, usually on the back, less often on the chest. The skin is immediately sucked in, causing capillaries to burst and local hemorrhage. The sensations are quite unpleasant. Often they interrupt the local pain, which leads to a subjective feeling of relief after the procedure.

What was treated with banks in the USSR

It was believed that vacuum massage could relieve various types of pain. It was also used to treat various colds and respiratory diseases. The jars could supposedly relieve coughs, speed up sputum production, and reduce inflammation. The procedure was also credited with the ability to improve muscle elasticity and increase skin tone.

What does modern medicine say?

Evidence-based medicine does not have any convincing arguments in favor of using cupping. A few studies indicate that the procedure has no more effect than waiting for a doctor's appointment. In addition, the American Cancer Society points out that the use of cans carries a small risk of skin burns. Currently, the procedure is classified as pseudo-medical practice and is not recommended as a substitute for the treatment of serious conditions.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.