Common cupping methods include: conventional cupping, flash cupping, retention cupping, sliding cupping, rotating cupping, and popping cupping. This article details the operational steps and methods of cupping with illustrations. 1. Conventional cupping can be divided into two types: single cup method and multiple cup method.Tools needed: fire cupping, hemostatic forceps, cotton balls, hot towels, lighter, 95% alcohol 1. Single cup method
Cupping method: Clean the treatment area with a hot towel, hold the cup in the right hand, and use the hemostatic forceps in the left hand to grasp a cotton ball soaked in alcohol. Ignite the cotton ball, quickly insert it into the cup, rotate it once, and immediately remove it. Then, quickly place the fire cup on the treatment area, typically leaving it for 10-15 minutes. The specific effects of single cup cupping: commonly used for small areas of pathology or tender points. For example, cupping at the Zhongwan (中脘) point for stomach issues, or at the Jianyu (肩髃) point for supraspinatus tendonitis. 2. Multiple cup method
Cupping method: Clean the treatment area with a hot towel, hold the cup in the right hand, and use the hemostatic forceps in the left hand to grasp a cotton ball soaked in alcohol. Ignite the cotton ball, quickly insert it into the cup, rotate it once, and immediately remove it. Then, quickly place multiple fire cups sequentially on the treatment area, typically leaving them for 10-15 minutes. The specific effects of multiple cup cupping: commonly used for diseases with a wider range of pathology. 2. Flash cupping,Tools needed: fire cupping, hemostatic forceps, cotton balls, hot towels, lighter, 95% alcohol
Cupping method: Clean the treatment area with a hot towel, hold the cup in the right hand, and use the hemostatic forceps in the left hand to grasp a cotton ball soaked in alcohol. Ignite the cotton ball, quickly insert it into the bottom of the cup, immediately remove it, and place the cup on the treatment area. Then, immediately remove the cup and repeat the suction on the treatment area multiple times until the skin becomes red. Applicable range: This method is suitable for treating muscle atrophy, local skin numbness and pain, or some weaker conditions. 3. Retention cupping,Tools needed: fire cupping, hemostatic forceps, cotton balls, hot towels, lighter, 95% alcohol
Cupping method: Clean the treatment area with a hot towel, hold the cup in the right hand, and use the hemostatic forceps in the left hand to grasp a cotton ball soaked in alcohol. Ignite the cotton ball, quickly insert it into the bottom of the cup, immediately remove it, and place the cup on the treatment area, typically leaving it for 10-15 minutes. Applicable range: Mainly used for conditions such as qi and blood stagnation, numbness, indigestion, neurasthenia, and hypertension. 4. Sliding cupping,Tools needed: fire cupping, hemostatic forceps, cotton balls, hot towels, lighter, 95% alcohol, lubricant
Cupping method: Clean the treatment area with a hot towel, apply an appropriate amount of lubricant to the area, hold the cup in the right hand, and use the hemostatic forceps in the left hand to grasp a cotton ball soaked in alcohol. Ignite the cotton ball, quickly insert it into the bottom of the cup, immediately remove it, and place the cup on the treatment area. Slide the cup back and forth along the desired cupping path until the skin shows bruising, typically for 3-5 minutes. Applicable range: Treats dysfunction of internal organs, external wind invasion, skin numbness, and peripheral neuritis. 5. Rotating cupping, Tools needed: fire cupping, hemostatic forceps, cotton balls, hot towels, lighter, 95% alcohol
Cupping method: Clean the treatment area with a hot towel, hold the cup in the right hand, and use the hemostatic forceps in the left hand to grasp a cotton ball soaked in alcohol. Ignite the cotton ball, quickly insert it into the bottom of the cup, immediately remove it, and place the cup on the treatment area. Then, hold the cup body and rotate it back and forth until the skin shows bruising. Note: Use gentle techniques during operation, and ensure smooth rotation to prevent the cup from falling off. Applicable range: Commonly used for various conditions in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, and otorhinolaryngology. 6. Popping cupping,Tools needed: fire cupping, hemostatic forceps, cotton balls, hot towels, lighter, 95% alcohol
Cupping method: Clean the treatment area with a hot towel, hold the cup in the right hand, and use the hemostatic forceps in the left hand to grasp a cotton ball soaked in alcohol. Ignite the cotton ball, quickly insert it into the bottom of the cup, immediately remove it, and place the cup on the treatment area. Once the cup is secured, apply slight pushing or rotating pressure, then quickly remove the cup to produce a “pop” sound. Repeat the suction and removal multiple times until the skin becomes red or purplish. Applicable range: Commonly used for various conditions in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, and otorhinolaryngology.
