Cupping Therapy

Chapter 15.7.2: Very effective for musculo-skeletal pains, especially damp or fixed pains. Glass cups create vacuum suction on the skin.

Overview

Glass cups of various sizes. Burning cotton wool introduced briefly to create vacuum, cup placed on skin. Suction holds cup tightly. Also available with rubber tops (squeeze air out for vacuum — safer than fire). Very effective for musculo-skeletal pains, especially damp or fixed pains.

Methods

Clinical Uses

• Local dampness
• Starting pains that require a long time to improve
• Bursas — used locally
• Pressure pains — used locally
• Yin stagnation in organs — use on back-Shu point
• Cough with excessive phlegm — cup UB 13 (back-Shu of Lung)
• Peripheral oedema — cup UB 20 (back-Shu of Spleen)
• Oliguria with water retention — cup UB 23 (back-Shu of Kidney)
• Urine retention — cup UB 28 (back-Shu of Urinary Bladder)
• Ascites or lymph oedema — Ren 5 and Ren 9 (needled 10 min, then cups 10 min)

Cupping Method Selector

Select the cupping method based on pain type and condition.

Reflect

What stagnation pattern (blood, qi, or cold) would you target with cupping? What color would the cupping mark reveal?

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