Cupping therapy, also known as "horn method" in ancient times, mainly uses mechanical stimulation, negative pressure, and thermal effects to accelerate blood circulation, promote metabolism, and have medical and health effects, especially for some chronic patients.
Since everyone's constitution is different, the response to treatment is also different. After cupping, some people will only leave a faint mark on the skin, which will disappear quickly; while others will have purple-red cupping marks for several days. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the different colors or forms of cupping marks appearing on the skin after cupping can to some extent indicate the condition of the disease, but a deeper bruise does not necessarily mean a better effect.
From the form, if there are blisters or edema in the cupping marks, it indicates that there is too much dampness in the body. If the blisters are blood red or dark red, it indicates a long-term illness, heavy dampness, and blood stasis. If the cupping marks are dark red, purple-black, or have red dots of erythema, and feel slightly painful when touched, combined with body heat, it indicates heat-toxin syndrome. If the cupping marks are purple-red or purple-black, without erythema and fever, it indicates blood stasis. If there is slight itching or skin wrinkles in the cupping marks, it indicates heavy dampness.
From the color, if the cupping marks are dark purple and dull, it indicates poor meridian circulation and blood stasis. If the cupping marks are purple and have patches, it indicates cold congealing blood stasis. If the cupping marks are scattered purple dots, it indicates stagnation of Qi and blood stasis. If the cupping marks are bright red and vibrant, it indicates deficiency of Qi and blood or excessive Yin deficiency and fire. If the cupping marks are red and dark, it indicates high blood lipids and heat evil. If the cupping marks are gray-white or unchanged in color, feel not warm when touched, it is mostly caused by deficiency cold or damp evil.
It should be noted that cupping is not suitable for areas of the skin with inflammation, rupture, or tendency to bleed; cupping should not be performed in the same area where bruising from previous cupping has not disappeared; cupping is prohibited on the abdomen and lumbosacral area of pregnant women; children's skin is delicate, so cupping time should not be too long; excessively fatigued, hungry, thirsty, or intoxicated individuals should not be cupped immediately.
