Method of Cupping: There are several commonly used methods for cupping:
1. Fire Cupping: Utilizing the heat of the flame during combustion, air is expelled from the cup, creating a negative pressure inside the cup, which causes it to adhere to the skin. There are several methods:
(1) Direct Fire Method: Roll thin paper into a tube or cut it into thin strips. Light it and when it is about one-third burned, place it into the cup and quickly place the cup on the selected area. When using the direct fire method, whether using paper tubes or paper strips, they must be higher than the mouth of the cup by more than an inch. After burning about an inch, the paper tubes or strips will lean against one side of the cup, and the flame will not burn the skin. For beginners using the direct fire method, a layer of damp paper can be placed on the area to be cupped, or a little water can be applied to absorb the heat, which can protect the skin.
(2) Flash Fire Method: Use a No. 7-8 iron wire, wrap one end with asbestos rope or string, and make an alcohol wick.
Before use, lightly dip the alcohol stick in 95% alcohol, light it with an alcohol lamp or candle, and quickly flash the end with the flame into the bottom of the cup, then immediately place the cup on the area to be cupped. At this time, the cup has created a negative pressure and will adhere to the skin.
The advantage of the flash fire method is that when the alcohol stick is flashed, the flame has already left the cup, so there is no flame inside the cup, which can avoid burns and is better than the direct fire method.
(3) Alcohol Dropping Method: Drop 1-2 drops of alcohol onto the middle of the inner wall of the cup, let the alcohol evenly adhere to the inner wall of the cup (do not touch the mouth of the cup), then ignite the alcohol with a match, turn the cup upside down, and quickly place the cup on the selected area.
(4) Cotton Pad Method: Take a piece of degreased cotton about 0.5 cm square, lightly dip it in alcohol, tightly attach it to the middle of the cup wall, ignite it with a match, and immediately place the cup on the selected area.
(5) Fire Stand Method: Prepare a non-flammable and non-heat conducting object with a diameter of 2-3 cm, place it on the area to be cupped, place a small piece of alcohol-soaked cotton ball on top, ignite the cotton ball, and immediately place the cup on top to create a strong suction.
2. Water Cupping: Bamboo cups are commonly used. First, place the cup in a pot and boil it in water. When using, pour out the cup and remove any remaining liquid by shaking it, or press the cup tightly against the skin while it is still hot using a folded towel, and it will adhere.
3. Vacuum Cupping: Tighten a suction cup made from discarded bottles of gentamicin or lincomycin onto the area to be cupped, and use a syringe to draw out the air from the rubber stopper, creating a negative pressure that will cause the cup to adhere. Alternatively, use a vacuum pump fitted onto a plastic cup to draw out the air and create suction.
Application of Various Cupping Methods:
1. Single Cupping: Used for small areas of lesions or tender points. Select an appropriate diameter cup based on the size of the lesion or tender area. For example, cupping on the Zhongwan acupoint for stomach problems; cupping on the supraspinatus tendon for supraspinatus tendinitis.
