Scratching and cupping are commonly used methods in traditional Chinese medicine for health maintenance and treatment. Can cupping be done the day after scraping?
Can cupping be done the day after scraping?
It depends on the individual's physical condition.
After scraping, some people may experience redness, pain, and itching in the scraped area. For some people, the marks may fade and the pain may subside on the second day, indicating that cupping can be done. However, if the scraped area still shows obvious pain and marks on the second day, it is not recommended to do cupping. It is better to wait until the marks diminish before scraping again.
Since cupping can also cause skin congestion and potentially cause secondary injury, if cupping is to be done the day after scraping, it is advisable to avoid the area where scraping was done the day before.
Can scraping and cupping be done simultaneously?
Yes, they can be done simultaneously.
Scraping and cupping can be used together, usually with scraping done first and then cupping, although the reverse order is also possible. Scraping helps to clear superficial stagnation, while cupping helps to remove deeper issues. They can be used together for treating multiple meridians simultaneously. Although the methods differ, their principles for treating diseases are the same. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "if there is no circulation, there is pain." Both scraping and cupping aim to promote local circulation by improving the adhesion of local muscle fibers and enhancing blood circulation in capillaries. They complement each other when used together.
How many days before scraping and cupping no longer cause pain?
Scraping and cupping can cause ruptured capillaries and the appearance of marks and toxins on the skin surface, leading to pain and itching. Generally, depending on individual constitution, it takes 1-3 days for the pain to subside.
However, in some cases, such as excessive scraping force causing epidermal damage or muscle strain, or cupping causing burns or muscle injuries, longer recovery time may be needed. If the pain persists after 3 days, it is recommended to seek medical treatment.
Precautions after scraping
1. Keep warm during scraping treatment, especially in winter, to avoid cold and drafts. In summer, it is advisable to avoid direct blowing of fans on the scraped areas.
2. Do not scrape the same area until the marks from the previous scraping have faded. The interval between scraping sessions should be 3-6 days, based on the disappearance of marks on the skin.
3. Drink a cup of warm water (preferably with a pinch of salt and sugar) and rest for 15-20 minutes after scraping.
4. During scraping, the skin may suffer minor injuries. It is important not to scratch the scraped area due to itching to avoid negating the effects of scraping.
5. Avoid taking a shower immediately after scraping to prevent invasion of external pathogenic factors. It is recommended to wait for the skin pores to close and return to their normal state, usually 3-8 hours after scraping, before taking a shower.
6. Do not scrape the same area before the marks from the previous scraping have faded.
Benefits and drawbacks of scraping
Benefits
1. Promotes metabolism and toxin elimination. The body undergoes continuous metabolic activities every day, and waste products generated during metabolism need to be excreted in a timely manner. Scraping can promptly scrape the "garbage" from internal metabolism to the surface of the body, depositing it in the pores under the skin, promoting smooth blood flow, and restoring natural metabolic vitality.
2. Relaxes tendons and opens meridians. More and more people are suffering from cervical spondylosis, shoulder periarthritis, and back pain. This is because when the body's "soft tissues" (joint capsules, ligaments, fascia, etc.) are injured, muscles will be in a state of tension, contraction, or even spasm, leading to pain. If left untreated, varying degrees of adhesion, fibrosis, or scar formation can occur, worsening the condition. Scraping can relax tendons, open meridians, and eliminate painful lesions, alleviating muscle tension and facilitating the recovery of affected areas.
3. Adjusts yin and yang. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the balance of yin and yang in the body. Scraping has a dual regulatory effect on bodily functions and can improve and adjust the functions of internal organs, restoring balance.
Drawbacks
The drawbacks of scraping are usually due to not paying attention to contraindications and improper operation.
1. Frequent and uncontrolled scraping can cause damage to the extracutaneous tissues, which not only fails to relieve fatigue but also burdens the body.
2. For individuals with weak Qi and blood, scraping can deplete energy. Frequent scraping can lead to mental fatigue, overall weakness, dizziness, and worsen the body's condition.
3. For people with skin ulcers or other skin diseases, scraping is not enjoyable but painful. It can cause greater damage to already fragile skin tissues and even lead to infections, worsening the condition.
4. People with certain blood disorders or problems with heart or liver function should avoid scraping as it can cause greater harm to the body.
