Acupuncture and cupping are two popular traditional Chinese medicine methods for health preservation. In addition to their health benefits, they can also prevent and treat various diseases, and are loved by people. So, can acupuncture and cupping be done together? Let's reveal the answer below!
1. Can acupuncture and cupping be done together?
Acupuncture and cupping can be done together.
If the methods of acupuncture and cupping are used correctly, they can have a mutually beneficial effect. However, it should be noted that acupuncture and cupping should not be done in the same area.
2. Benefits of doing acupuncture and cupping together
Acupuncture primarily works on the superficial layer of the skin and indirectly regulates the balance of the five zang organs and six fu organs through the meridians. Therefore, its effects are limited. On the other hand, moxibustion uses the pure yang nature of mugwort to penetrate the meridians and reach the five zang organs and six fu organs, directly nourishing the body and regulating the balance of yin and yang. After cupping, when the pores are open, moxibustion can better penetrate the skin, transmit along the meridians, and act on the affected area, resulting in more significant health benefits and disease prevention effects.
3. Should you do moxibustion or cupping first?
Generally, cupping is done before moxibustion. Cupping stimulates the acupoints or affected areas through the meridians, causing the accumulation of wind, cold, and dampness around the affected areas and opening the pores of the skin. Then, moxibustion is used to warm and stimulate the affected areas, better eliminating the pathogenic factors in the body. If a person has excessive internal heat, moxibustion can be done before cupping to reduce the heat.
4. The effects of moxibustion
1) Harmonizing yin and yang
The balance of yin and yang in the human body is the fundamental basis for the occurrence and development of diseases. By using moxibustion therapy to tonify or disperse, the balance of yin and yang can be achieved.
2) Warming and promoting circulation in the meridians, dispelling cold pathogenic factors
Mugwort has a warm nature, and when ignited, it can penetrate the layers of the skin, promoting blood circulation and warming the body. Moxibustion has the effects of warming and promoting circulation in the meridians, dispelling cold, regulating qi and blood, and relieving pain.
3) Promoting blood circulation, dispelling blood stasis
When qi encounters heat, it moves; when it encounters cold, it stagnates. Moxibustion provides warm stimulation, which can harmonize qi and blood, promote circulation, and dispel blood stasis.
4) Warming yang, tonifying deficiency, invigorating the middle burner, and reinforcing qi
5) Rescuing collapse with yang
6) Disease prevention, health preservation, strengthening the body, and prolonging life
Moxibustion is a commonly used treatment method with various effects and techniques. The specific moxibustion method and intensity of stimulation can differ based on different acupoints and materials used. Therefore, when choosing moxibustion, it is essential to consider individual circumstances.
5. The effects of cupping
1) Decompression
Cupping produces beneficial effects in the body's self-regulation, such as promoting blood circulation, relaxing tendons and activating collaterals, reducing swelling and relieving pain, and dispelling wind and eliminating dampness. It acts as a positive stimulus and helps restore normal functions.
2) Thermal effect
Cupping has a warm stimulation effect on the local skin, especially with fire cupping, water cupping, and herbal cupping.
3) Regulating the balance of yin and yang in the body
Cupping causes autolytic hemolysis, producing a substance similar to histamine that can circulate throughout the body, stimulating various organs, enhancing their vitality, and aiding in the recovery of connective tissues.
