Fire cupping involves igniting the air inside the cup to create negative pressure, suctioning it onto the skin. Mastering the technique requires selecting appropriate cups and achieving strong yet controlled suction without excessive force. So, what are the methods for fire cupping?
Fire Cupping Suction Techniques
Flash Ignition Method:Hold an alcohol swab with hemostatic forceps or tweezers, or use a cotton ball wrapped in gauze or non-woven cotton soaked in 95% alcohol. Ignite it over an alcohol lamp, insert it into the cup, quickly swirl it 2-3 times at the bottom or middle, then remove it. Immediately place the cup over the selected area to create suction.The principle of this method is swift action: keep the cup opening close to the target area and avoid prolonged flame exposure inside the cup.
Flame-Throwing Method: Ignite a burning paper strip or alcohol-soaked cotton ball and immediately toss it into the cup. Swiftly place the cup over the target area.This method is suitable for cupping areas on the sides of the body, as a piece of paper or alcohol swab falling onto the skin could cause burns. This is one of the traditional cupping techniques.
Cotton Pad Method: Tear a thin layer of cotton wool, lightly soak it in 95% alcohol (avoid excessive alcohol), place it in the middle to upper section of the cup, ignite it, and immediately place the cup over the desired cupping site.This method produces strong suction and is simple to perform.
Alcohol Drip Method: Before cupping, drip a small amount of 95% alcohol onto the bottom of the cup. Take care not to use too much alcohol or allow it to reach the rim. Roll the cup to evenly coat the walls with alcohol. Ignite the alcohol with a match and swiftly place the cup over the target area.
Fire-Support Method: Use a non-flammable, heat-resistant block—such as a rubber cap or ginger slice—as an insulating medium. Its diameter should be smaller than the cup opening. Place an alcohol-soaked cotton ball on the prepared medium, ignite it, and swiftly place the cup over it.
Cupping Methods
Retention Cupping
Retention cupping is the most commonly used technique, also known as stationary cupping. It involves suctioning the cup onto the skin and leaving it in place for a period of time. Retention duration ranges from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the patient, condition, and season. Generally, longer retention is not advisable during summer or on areas with thin skin.The retention method has two forms:
First, the single-cup method, where a single cup is used alone, suitable for small affected areas.
Second, the multiple-cup method, also known as the row-cup technique, where multiple cups are applied simultaneously. Cups are typically arranged along muscle bundles, nerves, or meridian pathways. For robust individuals, cups may be placed closer together; for weaker individuals, spacing should be wider. This method is suitable for more extensive affected areas.
Blood-Letting Cupping Method
Also known as blood-letting cupping. First, using a three-edged needle, plum blossom needle, or sewing needle, make several to over ten rapid punctures based on the lesion size and disease severity. For mild conditions, a skin flush is sufficient; for moderate cases, slight bleeding is the target; for severe cases, pinpoint bleeding is the goal. Immediately apply and retain the cups for 15–20 minutes.
Needle-Cupping Method
This integrated technique combines acupuncture with cupping. After inserting needles into acupoints, the needles remain in place while cupping is applied over the needled areas, ensuring the needles are covered by the cups. Glass cups are generally preferred. Leave the cups in place for 10–20 minutes before removing them and extracting the needles. Alternatively, needles may be removed after insertion, followed by cupping over the needled areas.
Flash Cupping Method
In this technique, one hand holds the cup while the other uses tweezers to grasp an alcohol-soaked cotton ball or a wire looped with cotton. After igniting it, the tweezers are quickly withdrawn, and the cup is rapidly applied to the affected area. The cup is immediately removed, and this process is repeated dozens of times until the skin becomes flushed and bruising appears. This method is suitable for areas with relatively loose muscles.
Gliding Cupping Method
Also known as pushing or pulling cupping. Select cups with a wide mouth, thick walls, and a smooth, undamaged surface. Apply a thin layer of lubricant—such as liquid paraffin, petroleum jelly, or other vegetable oil—to the area where cupping will be performed.After applying the cup to the skin using the flash-fire or fire-throwing method, hold the base of the cup and tilt it slightly while slowly moving it back and forth. The direction should be front, back, left, and right, and rotation can also be performed. Repeat several times until the skin becomes flushed and bruising appears. This method is suitable for large, flat areas of the body with thick, firm muscles, such as the back and waist.
Medicated Cupping Method
Medicated cupping combines traditional cupping with herbal therapy. Bamboo cups are selected for this technique. Before application, the cups are steamed with medicinal liquid. The high heat expels air from the cups, creating a vacuum that adheres them to the skin. This method provides both thermal and mechanical stimulation while leveraging the effects of Chinese herbs to enhance cupping efficacy.Herbal selection is tailored to the patient's specific condition.
Warming Cupping Method
This technique enhances efficacy by applying infrared radiation to the treatment area while the cups remain in place, or by moxibustion around the cups using moxa sticks. It is primarily used during cold, damp seasons or for conditions involving deficiency-cold or cold-dampness.