Retention Cupping Method
The retention cupping method is the most commonly used technique in cupping therapy, also known as the sitting cupping method. It involves placing the cup on the skin and leaving it in place for a period of time. The retention time ranges from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the patient’s condition, the disease, and the season. Generally, in summer and on thinner skin areas, the retention time should not be too long.
Retention cupping has two forms:
One is the Single Cup Method, which uses a single cup and is suitable for small areas of pathology.
The other is the Multiple Cup Method, also known as the排罐法 (排罐法, 排罐法), which uses multiple cups simultaneously. The cups are generally arranged along the muscle bundles, nerves, or meridian pathways. If the body is strong, the cups can be placed closer together; if the body is weak, the cups should be spaced further apart. This method is suitable for broader areas of pathology.
Flash Cupping Method
The flash cupping method involves holding a cup in one hand and using tweezers to hold a cotton ball soaked in alcohol or a cotton ball tied to a wire, igniting it, and then quickly removing it to place the cup on the patient’s affected area. The cup is then immediately removed, and this process is repeated several times until the skin becomes flushed and bruised. This method is suitable for areas where the muscles are relatively relaxed.
Sliding Cupping Method
The sliding cupping method, also known as the 推罐法 (推罐法) or 拉罐法 (拉罐法), involves selecting a cup with a larger opening, thicker walls, and a smooth, undamaged surface. A thin layer of lubricant, such as liquid paraffin, petroleum jelly, or other vegetable oils, is applied to the area where cupping will be performed.
After using the flash fire method or the投火法 (投火法) to create suction on the skin, hold the bottom of the cup and slightly tilt it to slowly slide it back and forth.
The directions can be forward, backward, left, right, and can also include rotation. This is repeated several times until the skin becomes flushed and bruised. This method is suitable for large, flat areas of the body with thick, firm muscles, such as the back and waist.
Effects of Cupping:
Cupping therapy has therapeutic effects of invigorating qi and blood, dispelling cold pathogens, and alleviating pain and swelling. It is suitable for conditions such as shoulder periarthritis, cervical spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis, neuralgia, low back pain, trigeminal neuralgia, and sciatica.
Colors of Cupping Marks:
1. Dark Purple-Black Marks: Generally indicate insufficient blood supply and poor circulation with blood stasis.
2. Purple Marks with Spots: Generally indicate cold congealing and blood stasis.
3. Scattered Purple Dots with Varying Depths: Indicate qi stagnation and blood stasis.
4. Bright Red Marks: Generally indicate yin deficiency, qi and blood deficiency, or yin deficiency with excess fire.
5. Red but Dark Marks: Indicate high blood lipids and the presence of heat pathogens.
6. Gray-White Marks that are Cool to the Touch: Generally indicate deficiency cold or damp pathogens.
7. Marks with Skin Texture or Mild Itching: Indicate wind pathogens or damp conditions.
8. Water Vapor on the Inner Wall of the Cup: Indicates dampness in that area.
9. Blisters on the Cupping Marks: Indicate heavy internal dampness; if the blisters contain blood, it is a reaction to damp-heat toxins.
Precautions for Cupping:
1. After gua sha and cupping, do not take a shower or drink cold beverages for two hours. If showering after two hours, use warm water.
2. During gua sha and cupping, do not use air conditioning or fans to avoid air convection.
3. Do not perform cupping on an overly full or hungry stomach; wait at least one hour after eating before cupping.