Cupping

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Cupping regulates the flow of Qi and Blood. It helps to draw out and eliminate pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold, Damp and Heat. Cupping also moves Qi and Blood and opens the pores of the skin, thus precipitating the removal of pathogens through the skin itself.

Indications|
Use where there is pain in muscles and joints.
Pain and numbness due to obstruction of Qi, Blood, Wind, Cold or Damp.
Colds and Flu. Headache and dizziness. Abdominal pain. Epigastric pain. Lumbar strain. Lumbago. Diarrhea. Loose stools. Early stages of Abscesses and boils. Cough. Asthma.

Contraindications
High fever. Convulsions. Skin lesions- eczema, rash, ulcers. Hemophiliac. Patients who are thin. Patients who have loose skin. Areas that are rich in capillaries and blood vessels. Bony processes. Head-ears. Nipples/breast tissue. In front of Heart. Lumbar, Lower sacral area in pregnant women.
Purpose: By drawing Qi and Blood into an area, it activates circulation to help clear obstructions. By so doing it relieves swelling and pain. Eliminates pathogenic Wind and Cold.

Types of cups

Bamboo cups were used in ancient times. They can still be purchased. These are Ok to use. However you cannot see what is going on inside. They are also slightly more difficult to keep clean.

Pump/valve suction cups: Expensive. Quite easily applied. Perhaps a bit more difficult to keep clean.

Glass cups: By far the most widely used cup. If they drop onto carpet they usually wont break. Easy to keep clean and the inside is visible.

Equipment
A traditional and widely used method of cupping is to use glass cups and a flame produced by a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. The safest and best method is to use clamping tongs. Tweezers are not good enough. The best type of clamping tongs is the type with a circle in the end that is used to hold back sheets in operations.

1. Clamp moist cotton ball in forceps. Shaking to make sure they won’t drip.My experience is that it is better not to, at any time hold the cotton ball above the client.
2. Light cotton ball, and hold in inverted cup for about 3-4 seconds, beside the client.
3. Place cup gently on skin.
4. Leave cup in place for between 5 – 10 min.
5. To remove, push a thumb or finger under the edge, and allow air to enter.

Types of cupping
1. Weak cupping- has a tonifying effect. It only uses slight suction in the cup. For people with low energy.
2. Medium cupping- also has a tonifying effect. For people with more energy.
3. Strong cupping- has a draining effect. For maximum stimulation of an area in people with strength.
4. Moving cupping- again draining, so use in people with plenty of strength. The skin is coated with copious amounts of oil before the cup is applied and it can be moved.

Immediate relief of pain or more energy is rare, as this is a technique for dredging the channels. It is not a quick fix. Though in the long term it will help circulation.
Depending on the strength of the person and the strength and time of cupping some bruising will result. This is like a love bite and is harmless.
Notice that strong cupping for extended periods will drain energy. So choose techniques according to the persons strength. You are better off treating them lightly several times than making them feel tired in a one quick fix.