There are various types of cups, starting from the ancient animal horn cups, gradually developing into bamboo tubes, ceramic cups, metal cups, glass cups, plastic cups, rubber cups, and even modern devices such as electric cupping and acupuncture electric cupping therapy devices. The most commonly used cups currently include bamboo cups, ceramic cups, and glass cups, which are available in many medical equipment stores and pharmacies.
(1) Animal Horn Cups
Animal horn cups are made from the horns of livestock, mostly using cow horns or sheep horns. The top is polished into a small hole for air exhaust, and the bottom edge is polished flat to avoid skin injury. When using animal horn cups, the mouth tightly presses the cup opening on the skin to create negative pressure by sucking the top opening with the mouth, and then seals it with semi-melted wax or wet dough. Animal horn cups are the oldest cupping tools. Currently, in Yunnan, Guizhou, and other places, some people still use animal horn cups for cupping.
(2) Glass Cups
Glass cups are made of heat-resistant glass, shaped like a barrel, with a large belly and a small opening. The edge of the opening is turned outward, used for fire exhaust method. The advantage is that the texture is clear and transparent, making it easy to observe the changes in the local skin directly outside the cup during cupping. It is especially suitable for the bloodletting cupping method as the amount of bleeding can be controlled. The disadvantage is that it is easy to break and conducts heat quickly. This type of cup is most commonly used in medical institutions. In addition, any smooth, large cavity, glass vessel with adsorption capacity can be used as a substitute for fire cups.
(3) Bamboo Cups
Bamboo cups are made of bamboo, using strong and slender bamboo cut into cylindrical shapes. One end is left as the bottom, and the other end is the opening of the cup. The middle section is slightly thicker, and the two ends are slightly thinner, resembling a waist drum. The advantages are easy to obtain materials, simple production, lightweight, and inexpensive. It is not easily damaged and can also be fumigated with medicine. It is widely used in the southern regions. The disadvantage is that it is prone to dry cracking and air leakage, making it difficult to observe changes in the skin.
(4) Ceramic Cups
Ceramic cups refer to both pottery cups and porcelain cups, which are generally not strictly distinguished. They are mostly made of pottery clay, varying in size, with a flat bottom and slightly outwardly expanding in the middle, resembling a porcelain drum. They are used for fire exhaust method. The advantage is that they are low in price and have strong adsorption capacity. The disadvantage is that they are heavy and fragile, making it difficult to observe changes in the skin inside the cup. They are commonly used in rural areas in the northern regions.
(5) Squeezing Cups
There are two common types of squeezing cups for cupping: combination type and assembly type.
