Cupping therapy—As part of the basic operations in the 2021 Rural Assistant Physician Practical Skills Examination, have you mastered it? Let’s review it together!
Flash Cupping Technique
The flash cupping technique is a commonly used method in clinical practice, generally applied to areas of the skin that are uneven and prone to cup detachment.
【Procedure】
Using tweezers or hemostatic forceps, grasp a cotton ball soaked in an appropriate amount of alcohol, ignite it, and place it into the bottom of the cup. Immediately withdraw it, apply the cup to the treatment area, and then quickly remove the cup. Repeat this suction and removal on the treatment area multiple times until the skin becomes reddened.
【Indications】
Through repeated suction and release, the skin undergoes cycles of tightening and loosening, alternating between congestion and decongestion, which creates a physical stimulus. This has a certain excitatory effect on the nerves and blood vessels, increases cell permeability, and improves local blood circulation and nutrient supply. It is suitable for treating muscle atrophy, localized skin numbness, soreness, or some weaker pathological conditions.
【Precautions】
When using the flash cupping technique, the cup opening should always face downward. The cotton ball should be placed at the bottom of the cup, and the action should be quick when passing the cotton ball through the cup opening to avoid repeated heating of the cup opening, which could burn the skin. The operator should constantly monitor the temperature of the cup; if it feels too hot, another cup should be used to continue the procedure.
