Retained Cupping, also known as sitting cupping, refers to the method of applying suction cups to specific areas and leaving them in place for a period of time. The typical retention time is between 5 to 20 minutes, after which the cups are removed. In summer or on thinner muscle areas, the retention time should not be too long; however, if the goal is to draw out blood stasis, the retention time can be appropriately extended.
This method is suitable for a wide range of conditions, such as rheumatic pain, colds with cough, stomach pain, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, making it a commonly used cupping technique. Depending on the size of the affected area, it can be divided into single cup method and multiple cup method. For example, in cases of stomach pain, a single cup can be applied at the Zhongwan (中脘) point; for supraspinatus tendinitis, a single cup can be applied at the Jianyu (肩髃) point. In cases of lumbar muscle strain, several cups can be applied in a grid pattern over the lumbar area and at the sites of significant pain.
