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Can Children Undergo Cupping Therapy?
The answer is certainly yes. Traditional cupping methods include glass cups, bamboo cups, and suction cups, and various techniques such as moving cupping, flash cupping, and needling cupping. However, due to children’s young age, poor cooperation, and delicate skin, traditional cupping methods often face challenges such as inconvenient operation and potential skin damage. Therefore, a new type of cupping device is recommended for children.
Moving cupping can stimulate the body’s meridians (jingluo), invigorate organ functions, enhance the body’s resistance to diseases, promote the smooth flow of qi (vital energy) and blood, facilitate the operation of wei qi (defensive energy), eliminate internal wind, cold, dampness, and stagnation, and help strengthen the body while expelling pathogens. Appropriate moving cupping can assist children in alleviating disease symptoms and improving their immune capacity.
So, which diseases are suitable for moving cupping?
1 Respiratory diseases: Common symptoms include fever, cough, phlegm, and wheezing. Moving cupping on the back can help absorb lung inflammation and assist in reducing fever in children. Cupping can be applied at points such as Da Zhui (Dazhui), Fei Shu (Pneumothorax), and Ding Chuan (Stop Asthma) for 2-3 minutes.
2 Spleen-related diseases: Common symptoms include vomiting, poor appetite, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. Cupping can be applied at points such as Pi Shu (Spleen Shu), Wei Shu (Stomach Shu), Zhong Wan (Middle Cavity), Zu San Li (Stomach Three Miles), and Nei Ting (Inner Court).
3 Cupping can also assist in treating enuresis (bedwetting). Points such as Shen Shu (Kidney Shu), Ming Men (Gate of Life), Pi Shu (Spleen Shu), and Guan Yuan (Gate of Origin) can be cupped. Some studies have shown that cupping at the Shen Que (Spirit Gate) point can treat chronic urticaria.
When is moving cupping not suitable?
1 Children with skin damage, ulcers, or allergies should not undergo moving cupping;
2 Children with severe heart, liver, or kidney diseases or serious illnesses should not undergo moving cupping;
3 Children with a tendency to bleed should not undergo moving cupping;
4 Children who are fatigued or weak should not undergo moving cupping.
Additionally, it is important to note that moving cupping is an external treatment method in TCM and requires differentiation of syndromes for treatment. Parents should not blindly follow trends; improper application of acupoints may have adverse effects. The duration of cupping for children should not be too long, and should be monitored for skin redness, avoiding excessive pursuit of purple marks. After cupping, the pores are open, so avoid exposure to cold.
Submitted by: Pediatric Ward 1, Zhang Mengsi
Editor: Huo Jia
