Almost everyone has experienced the symptom of fever, so can cupping therapy be used to treat fever? Where should cupping be applied for fever?
Cupping Locations for Fever
Taiyang (Both Sides)
1. Location:
The temples are located in the temporal region, between the outer edge of the eyebrow and the outer corner of the eye, about one horizontal finger's width back.
2. Acupoint selection method:
Sit upright or lie on your side, and select the acupoint about one horizontal finger's width outward from the midpoint between the tip of the eyebrow and the outer corner of the eye.
3. Efficacy:
Clears the liver, improves vision, promotes circulation, and relieves pain. The temples are extraordinary acupoints. Massaging this acupoint can clear the liver, improve vision, promote circulation, and relieve pain.
Dazhui (GV14)
1. Location:
Dazhui is located in the spine area, on the midline of the back, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. The patient should bow their head or lie face down for acupoint selection.
2. Acupoint selection method:
The patient should sit upright and bow their head. Dazhui is located on the midline of the back, at the lower end of the neck, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, about level with the shoulders (or the highest point of the neck bone when the patient moves their neck). If the protruding bone is not obvious, ask the patient to move their neck, and the immobile joint is the first thoracic vertebra, about level with the shoulders.
3. Efficacy:
Replenishes Qi and strengthens yang. Dazhui has the functions of relieving the surface and promoting yang, tonifying deficiency and calming the mind, clearing heat, and stopping convulsions.
Quze (PC3)
1. Location:
Quze is located in the middle of the elbow crease, on the ulnar side of the tendon of the biceps brachii muscle, with the elbow slightly bent.
2. Acupoint selection method:
Palm facing up, slightly bend the elbow, and select the acupoint in the anterior elbow area, above the elbow crease, in the depression on the ulnar side of the tendon of the biceps brachii muscle.
3. Efficacy:
Dispels heat and clears turbidity, relieves summer heat, harmonizes the stomach and descends rebellion, clears heat and detoxifies. Quze has the functions of regulating the heart Qi, regulating the intestines, and relieving blood heat.
Weizhong (BL40)
1. Location:
Weizhong is located in the middle of the popliteal crease, between the tendons of the biceps femoris muscle and the semitendinosus muscle.
2. Acupoint selection method:
The patient should lie prone for acupoint selection. Weizhong is located in the middle of the popliteal crease, between the tendons of the biceps femoris muscle and the semitendinosus muscle, in the central inner part of the knee.
3. Efficacy:
Dissipates heat and clears turbidity. Weizhong has the functions of clearing heat and cooling blood, relaxing tendons and activating collaterals, dispelling dampness and heat, cooling blood and detoxifying.
Cupping Method
Apply cupping to 2-3 locations at a time, after puncturing with a triangular needle, apply fire cupping, leave the cup in place for 5 minutes, and remove the cup when the blood inside the cup partially coagulates. Wipe off the blood with a sterile cotton ball.
Lifestyle Care for Fever with Cupping
Patients with fever should choose light and easily digestible liquid or semi-liquid foods,
to supplement the body's water consumption, such as soup, beverages, and porridge. It is advisable to eat more vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and fiber. Avoid sticky, greasy, and hard-to-digest foods, as well as high-fat, fried, grilled, and smoked foods.
