Cupping Therapy Overview
Cupping therapy is a therapeutic procedure in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that utilizes cups to create negative pressure on the skin surface through methods such as combustion, suction, or steam. This external treatment method, historically known as “Jiao Fa” or “Suction Tube Method,” promotes local blood circulation and can lead to beneficial stimulation of the body, thereby treating various diseases. Compared to other TCM treatments, cupping is easy to perform, relatively safe, and widely applicable.
Types of Cupping
Cupping can be categorized based on the method of suction: fire cupping, water cupping, and suction pump cupping. Fire cupping: utilizes burning alcohol to create negative pressure on the skin. Water cupping: uses boiling water to create negative pressure on the skin. Suction pump cupping: employs a pump to extract air and create negative pressure on the skin.
Indications for Cupping
Generally, most patients can undergo cupping therapy, which has effects such as promoting meridian flow, invigorating blood circulation, reducing swelling and pain, and dispelling wind and cold. Clinically, it is commonly used for conditions such as colds, coughs, asthma, lumbar disc disease, cervical spondylosis, shoulder periarthritis, soft tissue injuries, knee joint diseases, facial paralysis, lumbar muscle strain, weight loss, and beauty treatments.
Contraindications for Cupping
Skin allergies, skin ulcers, pregnant women’s abdomen, lumbar region, and areas with excessive hair.
Cupping Procedure
The cupping procedure typically includes three steps: preparation before cupping, the cupping operation, and removal of the cups.
Preparation Before Cupping
It is not recommended for patients to undergo cupping on an empty stomach. Depending on the treatment area, patients should adopt different lying positions, such as supine, prone, or lateral, and maintain stillness.
Cupping Operation
Fire cupping operation: One hand holds a clamp with a cotton ball soaked in 95% alcohol and ignites it, while the other hand holds the cup, quickly placing the burning cotton ball inside the cup for 1-2 seconds before swiftly applying the cup to the treatment area.
Water cupping operation: Generally, bamboo cups are used, which are inverted in a medicinal liquid and boiled for 1-2 minutes, then removed and dried with a towel before applying the hot cup to the treatment area.
Suction pump cupping operation: First, place the cup on the skin of the treatment area, then connect the suction pump to extract an appropriate amount of air to complete the operation.
Removing the Cups
The cups are typically left on for 10-15 minutes, or until the skin under the cup turns purple-red. To remove the cups, create a small gap between the cup and the skin to allow air to enter, then lift the cup away to complete the operation.
Precautions for Cupping
1. Cupping should not be performed when overly full or hungry; it is best to operate one hour after a meal. 2. During cupping, avoid using air conditioning or fans to prevent air circulation. The alcohol cotton ball should not be too wet to prevent burning alcohol from dripping onto the skin. 3. After treatment, advise patients to keep warm, avoid cold exposure, and refrain from taking cold showers or drinking cold water for two hours. After two hours, if bathing, use warm water. Editor: Publicity Department Source:Acupuncture Department Meng Yaping Image source: Internet, please contact for removal if there is infringement.
