(One) Classification by Exhaust Method:
1. Cupping: Using the principle of thermal expansion and contraction to remove air. This method is called cupping because it creates negative pressure on the skin by using the heat of the flame during combustion. There are four types of cupping:
(1) Fire Placement Method: Ignite a small piece of paper and place it into the cup. Before the paper burns out, quickly cover the cup on the selected area to create suction on the skin.
(2) Internal Fire Method: Use tweezers to hold a ignited cotton ball and move it around inside the cup. Immediately cover the cup on the selected area to create suction.
(3) Cotton Placement Method: Take a 1 cm square piece of cotton and slightly soak it in alcohol. Attach it to the middle of the cup's inner wall, then ignite it. Cover the cup on the selected area to create suction.
(4) Fire Stand Method: Place a non-flammable and non-heat conducting object with a diameter of 2-3 cm on the area to be cupped. Put a small piece of ignited cotton ball on top of it, and then cover the cup. This will create strong suction and hold the cup in place.
2. Water Cupping: Using the heat of boiling water to remove air. Bamboo cups are commonly used. The cup is first placed in a pot of boiling water. When ready to use, the cup is tilted and removed using tweezers, shaking off any water. Alternatively, a folded towel can be pressed tightly against the cup's opening, and then applied to the skin to create suction.
3. Vacuum Cupping: Removing air by suction. The vacuum cup is tightly placed on the area to be cupped, and air is drawn out from the rubber stopper using a syringe, creating a negative pressure and suction. Alternatively, a vacuum pump can be used to draw out the air from the piston of a plastic cup, creating suction.
(Two) Classification by Cupping Form:
1. Single Cupping: Used for small lesion areas or specific tender points. An appropriate cup size is selected based on the size of the lesion or tender area. For example, cupping can be done at the epigastric area for stomach disorders, at the subscapular region for bicipital tendinitis, and at the supraspinatus tendon for supraspinatus tendinitis.
