Gua sha and cupping are common therapies in traditional Chinese medicine for disease prevention and treatment. It is well known that when performing gua sha and cupping, one should avoid being in an air-conditioned room. So, how long should one wait after gua sha and cupping before turning on the air conditioner?
How long should one wait after gua sha and cupping to turn on the air conditioner?
After gua sha and cupping, it is recommended to avoid using the air conditioner for at least 3 hours. It is also advisable to stay away from windy areas and avoid contact with cold water. It is important to keep warm.
During gua sha and cupping, the pores in the treated area open up, allowing the body to expel wind, cold, dampness, and heat. At this time, the skin pores are dilated for detoxification, making it easier for wind and cold to enter the body through the relaxed skin. If exposed to cold air from the air conditioner, cold air can enter the body through the open pores, which is counterproductive.
What to do if you turn on the air conditioner after gua sha and cupping
1. Keep warm immediately
If you have been exposed to cold air after gua sha and cupping, it is important to add clothing immediately to prevent further exposure to cold.
2. Induce sweating to release the exterior
After being exposed to cold air, you may experience symptoms such as aversion to cold and feeling cold. At this time, you can consume sweating-inducing foods to expel the cold, such as ginger, chili, and other spicy foods. Drinking hot soup and porridge can also help.
3. Take a hot bath
After at least 12 hours following gua sha and cupping, if there are no obvious damages at the treated area, you can take a hot bath to stimulate the pores to open again and expel the cold from the body through temperature.
The benefits and drawbacks of gua sha and cupping
I. The benefits of gua sha and cupping
1. Cupping can help dispel cold and dampness, dredge meridians, eliminate stasis, promote blood circulation, reduce swelling, relieve pain, and detoxify. It also balances the yin and yang of the body, relieves fatigue, and enhances physical fitness.
2. Gua sha can promote the circulation of qi and blood, improve metabolism, enhance microcirculation, clean the internal environment, and detoxify the body.
II. The drawbacks of gua sha and cupping
The drawbacks of gua sha and cupping are usually caused by not paying attention to contraindications and improper operation.
1. Prolonged gua sha and cupping without moderation can cause damage to the external tissues, which not only fails to relieve fatigue but also increases the burden on the body.
2. For people with skin ulcers or other skin diseases, gua sha and cupping are not enjoyable but rather a form of torment. They can cause greater harm to already fragile skin tissues, even leading to infections and worsening the condition.
3. For certain individuals with blood disorders or problems with heart and liver function, gua sha and cupping should be avoided, as they can cause greater harm to the body.
Precautions for gua sha and cupping
1. Within two hours after gua sha and cupping, avoid drinking cold beverages, eating ice cream, and touching cold water. It is also best to avoid cold air.
2. During gua sha and cupping, do not turn on the air conditioner or fan to avoid air circulation.
3. Avoid gua sha and cupping when excessively full, hungry, or thirsty. Wait at least one hour after a meal before performing gua sha and cupping.
4. When using fire cups, be careful not to burn or scald the skin. If the skin blisters due to excessive cupping time, minor blisters do not require treatment, just apply disinfectant gauze to prevent rubbing. For larger blisters, use a sterilized needle to release the fluid, apply gentian violet solution, or use a disinfectant gauze wrap to prevent infection.
5. Gua sha and cupping should not be performed on areas with allergies, ulcers, edema, or areas with major blood vessels. It is also not recommended on the abdomen and lumbar sacral area of pregnant women.
