Cupping can help relieve and treat colds. So, where should you cup for a cold?
Acupoints for Wind-Cold Type Cold
Da Zhui (GV14)
1. Location:
Da Zhui is located in the spinal area, on the midline of the back. It is in the depression below the seventh cervical vertebra spinous process. The patient should be in a bent or prone position to locate the acupoint.
2. Acupoint identification:
The patient should sit upright and lower the head. Da Zhui is located on the midline of the back, at the lower end of the neck, in the depression below the seventh cervical vertebra spinous process. It is approximately level with the shoulder peaks (or can be located by pressing the highest point of the neck bone in a seated position with the head lowered). If the bony prominence is not very prominent, ask the patient to move the neck. The non-moving joint is the first thoracic vertebra, approximately level with the shoulders.
3. Functions:
Reinforces qi and strengthens yang. Da Zhui has the functions of expelling the exterior and unblocking yang, strengthening the deficient and calming the spirit, clearing heat and expelling the exterior, stopping convulsions and relieving pain.
Feng Men (BL12)
1. Location:
Feng Men is located on the back, below the second thoracic vertebra spinous process, about 1.5 cun (approximately 2 centimeters) beside it.
2. Acupoint identification:
The patient usually sits upright or lies prone. Feng Men is located on the back, in the center of the second depression (between the second and third thoracic vertebrae) facing downward from Da Zhui. It is about 1.5 cun (or about 2 centimeters) beside it on the left and right sides.
3. Functions:
Activates and regulates the bladder meridian to bring qi and blood up to the head. Feng Men has the functions of dispelling wind and relieving the exterior, clearing and activating the lung qi, ventilating the lung and relieving the exterior, and strengthening qi and consolidating the exterior.
Lung Yu (BL13)
1. Location:
Lung Yu is located on the back, below the third thoracic vertebra spinous process, about 1.5 cun beside it. It is the back Shu acupoint of the lungs.
2. Acupoint identification:
The patient lies prone, and Lung Yu is located below the third thoracic vertebra spinous process, 1.5 cun beside the Du Mai (Governor Vessel).
3. Functions:
Dispels heat from the lungs. Lung Yu has the functions of expelling the exterior and ventilating the lungs, clearing heat and regulating the qi, regulating the lungs and nourishing, and supplementing the deficiencies and clearing heat.
Qu Chi (LI11)
1. Location:
Qu Chi is located on the outer side of the elbow crease, when the elbow is flexed, at the midpoint between the acupoint He Gu (LI4) and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. It is in the depression of the bent elbow joint.
2. Acupoint identification:
The patient bends the elbow 90 degrees, and Qu Chi is located in the middle of the outer side of the elbow crease.
3. Functions:
Dispels heat from the spleen, transforms dampness from the large intestine meridian, and provides the qi of the upper body.
Yin Tang (EX-HN3)
1. Location:
Yin Tang is located on the forehead, between the eyebrows, at the midpoint of the line connecting the two eyebrows.
2. Acupoint identification:
When locating the acupoint, the patient should be in a sitting, reclining, or supine position. Yin Tang is located on the face, at the intersection of the line connecting the eyebrows and the midline of the forehead. Yin Tang is an extraordinary acupoint.
3. Functions:
Clears the head and brightens the eyes, opens the nasal passages.
Tai Yang (EX-HN5)
1. Location:
Tai Yang is located in the temporal region, between the outer corner of the eye and the end of the eyebrow, about one horizontal finger width posteriorly in the depression.
2. Acupoint identification:
The patient sits upright or lies on the side, and Tai Yang is located about one horizontal finger width from the midpoint between the outer corner of the eye and the outer canthus, posteriorly.
3. Functions:
Clears the liver and brightens the eyes, activates the meridians and relieves pain. Tai Yang is an extraordinary acupoint. Massaging this acupoint can clear the liver, brighten the eyes, activate the meridians, and relieve pain.
He Gu (LI4)
1. Location:
He Gu is located on the dorsum of the hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone on the radial side.
2. Acupoint identification:
The thumb and index finger are held together, and the acupoint is located at the highest point.
3. Functions:
Dispels wind and relieves the exterior, clears and drains lung qi, and regulates the stomach and intestines.
Cupping Method for Wind-Heat Type Cold
Using the flash fire method with a fire cupping jar, continuously flash cup the acupoints until the skin turns red. Once a day, or use a simple fire cupping jar and leave it on for 10-15 minutes once a day. It can also be used in combination with water cupping jars or medicinal cupping jars, leaving them on for 15-20 minutes once a day. For the walking cupping method, apply lubricant or medication to the back and continuously walk the cupping jars along the Du Mai (Governor Vessel) and bladder meridians until the skin turns red. Cupping should be performed once a day.
Cupping Method for Wind-Heat Type Cold
For wind-heat type cold, the acupoints for cupping are: Da Zhui, Lung Yu, Feng Chi, and Chi Ze.
Feng Chi (GB20)
1. Location:
Feng Chi is located in the neck area, below the occipital bone, level with Feng Fu, in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and trapezius muscle. It is one of the important Shu points of the foot Shaoyang gallbladder meridian.
2. Acupoint identification:
The patient sits upright or lies prone, and Feng Chi is located in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and trapezius muscle, below the occipital bone, level with Feng Fu.
3. Functions:
Reinforces yang and strengthens qi. Feng Chi has the functions of awakening the brain and opening the orifices, dispelling wind and clearing heat, brightening the eyes and improving hearing, calming the liver and extinguishing wind, dispelling wind and detoxifying, and unblocking and regulating the orifices.
Chi Ze (LI5)
1. Location:
Chi Ze is located on the forearm, between the first and second metacarpal bones, at the radial side of the forearm. It is an important acupoint of the hand Taiyin lung meridian.
2. Acupoint identification:
The patient extends the arm and slightly flexes the elbow. Chi Ze is located on the forearm, in the depression at the radial side of the forearm, between the first and second metacarpal bones.
3. Functions:
Clears heat from the lungs, activates and regulates the meridians, clears the lungs and drains fire, and regulates the intestines and stomach.
Cupping Method for Wind-Heat Type Cold
Using the prick and cupping method, first prick the acupoints with a three-edged needle until bleeding occurs, then immediately cup the pricked area and leave it on for 20 minutes. After removing the cups, wipe off the blood on the suction area with a disinfectant cotton ball. Cupping should be performed once a day. Medicinal cupping can also be used by boiling herbal medicines such as Yinqiao Powder and Sangju Yin with water and cupping the acupoints with the medicinal cups.
In addition, for patients with chronic illnesses and weak constitutions, in addition to identifying acupoints for wind-cold and wind-heat, if there is concurrent qi deficiency, add acupuncture at Qi Hai (CV6) and Zu San Li (ST36); for blood deficiency, add acupuncture at Xue Hai (SP10) and San Yin Jiao (SP6); for yang deficiency, add acupuncture at Guan Yuan (CV4) and Ming Men (GV4).
Nursing Measures for Colds
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise, enhance physical fitness, and improve the body's resistance. Those who are elderly, weak, heavy smokers, diabetic, or have chronic lung diseases should pay attention to prevention in winter and spring. People who are prone to complications from the flu should consider getting the flu vaccine every year.
Pay attention to indoor hygiene
Pay attention to indoor hygiene and ensure ventilation. During the flu season, simmer vinegar over low heat for 2 hours, once every other day. Perform air disinfection. Avoid sudden changes from cold to hot.
Eat a light diet
If you have a poor appetite, eat small meals. Avoid raw, cold, and cool foods. Eat more light foods rich in vitamins and drink hot water, ginger sugar water, or hot orange juice.
Change toothbrush regularly
During a cold, change your toothbrush regularly to avoid repeated infection. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water frequently for disinfection.
Take timely measures to stop the progression of the disease
If you have symptoms such as coughing up purulent sputum, sore throat, swollen tonsils, or severe coughing, use antibiotics to prevent the cold from developing into bronchitis, pneumonia, or tonsillitis. If the cold has lasted for more than 10 days without improvement or the symptoms are severe, see a doctor.
Reduce going out
People with colds should stay at home as much as possible and isolate themselves from the outside world. This allows for rest and promotes faster recovery. During the flu season, try to minimize going to public places.
