Precautions for Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy is not as straightforward as it seems. The following points should be observed during treatment:
1. Cupping jar sterilization: Typically, wipe the jar rim and body with a 75% alcohol-soaked cotton ball to sterilize. After sterilization, dry the jar with a dry cotton ball or allow it to air dry before use.
2. Ignition Method: Use the flash-ignition technique. Hold the ignition stick in one hand and the cup in the other. Light the alcohol-soaked cotton ball on the ignition stick (ensure alcohol is not excessive to prevent dripping after ignition), then quickly insert it into the cup. Remove after approximately 1-3 seconds. With the other hand, gently place the heated cup on the desired treatment area.Avoid burning near the rim to prevent excessive heat buildup.
4. Adopt an appropriate position, typically supine. Once the cup is applied, avoid shifting to prevent it from detaching.
6. When using multiple cups, maintain adequate spacing between them. Placing cups too close may cause skin traction pain and hinder secure adhesion due to mutual interference.
7. During sliding cupping, avoid moving cups over thin skin or bony prominences to prevent skin damage or cup detachment due to air leakage.
8. When removing the cup, use gentle, slow movements. Hold the cup with your right hand while pressing the cup's edge against the muscle with your left thumb or index finger. This allows air to enter, releasing suction so the cup detaches naturally. Avoid forceful pulling or twisting to prevent skin damage.
9. After removal, localized redness or purplish discoloration is normal and typically fades within one week. Avoid reapplying cups to areas with severe bruising. If blisters form from prolonged cupping: - Small blisters require no treatment and will absorb naturally, but prevent rubbing. - Larger blisters may be punctured; clean with a dry cotton ball or apply purple medicine to prevent infection.
10. The room should be warm with fresh air. Avoid using fans or air conditioning during cupping to prevent catching a chill.
What precautions should be taken for cupping therapy?
Post-cupping care guidelines
Keep the cupped areas warm and protected from drafts. For neck cupping, wear a high-collared garment. Avoid bathing for two hours after treatment, and never expose cupped areas to cold water. Use only lukewarm water for bathing.
Wait at least two hours after cupping before bathing.
Some individuals attempt to prolong cupping sessions, believing this enhances therapeutic effects. However, experts advise limiting cupping to 10 minutes or less. Excessive duration may cause blistering, skin breakdown, or even infection at the cupping site.
Avoid Repeating Cupping Before Purple Marks Fade
Some individuals, finding pain not fully alleviated after one session, apply cupping again to the same painful area hoping for a stronger effect. This approach is incorrect. If the purple-red marks from the previous cupping session have not completely faded, do not apply cupping consecutively to the same area. Instead, select different acupoints.Otherwise, not only will it fail to alleviate the pain, but it may also cause further problems.
Accurate Acupoint Selection is Essential
When performing cupping at home, the first priority is ensuring the correct location. Cupping is not simply applied wherever pain is felt. Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes diagnosis-based treatment. To achieve results, cupping should be applied not only to the acupoints at the site of pain but also to the relevant acupoints associated with the pain.For instance, a patient with lower back pain may also require cupping on acupoints located on the legs. Many individuals lack familiarity with the body's acupoints. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a qualified TCM practitioner before cupping to determine the specific areas requiring treatment based on your pain condition.
Preventing Infection
After removing the cups, localized skin redness or itching may occur. Avoid scratching, as these symptoms typically subside within hours or days. The appearance of blisters, droplets, pinpoint bleeding, or bruising are all normal therapeutic reactions.For minor blisters, simply prevent rubbing and allow them to absorb naturally. For larger blisters, puncture the base with a sterilized needle to drain fluid, then apply sterile gauze to prevent infection. This concludes our overview of cupping precautions and considerations. We hope this information proves helpful. Wishing you good health and smooth sailing this winter.