Cupping is a traditional Chinese medicine technique used for both disease treatment and wellness maintenance. With modern society's growing emphasis on health, cupping has become a popular wellness practice. However, as it remains a TCM therapeutic method, post-cupping precautions must be observed to maximize its benefits.
(1) Maintain proper positioning. Cupping may detach if the skin has wrinkles, sagging, uneven scarring, or shifts during treatment.
(2) Select appropriately sized cups for different body areas. When using the flame method, ensure the flame is strong and work swiftly, tilting the cup upward to prevent the flame from falling and burning the skin.When using the flash-fire method, apply minimal alcohol to the cotton swab to prevent dripping and skin burns. For the cotton-pad method, ensure the burning cotton does not detach. With the fire-stand method, position the stand precisely to avoid knocking over the burning fire. When using boiled-water cups, shake out excess hot water to prevent scalding the patient's skin.
(3) When using needle cups, prevent muscle contraction from bending the needle and avoid pushing it too deeply to prevent injury. Exercise caution when applying to acupoints on the chest and back.
(4) For blood-letting cupping, the area punctured to draw blood should equal or slightly exceed the cup's diameter. Blood volume must be appropriate, with a total of no more than 10ml per session for adults.
(5) When using multiple cups, maintain adequate spacing between them. Closer placement may cause skin pain from traction and hinder secure suction due to cup interference.
(6) During sliding cupping, avoid moving cups over bony prominences to prevent skin damage or cup detachment from air leakage.
(7) When removing cups, use gentle, slow movements. Press down on the skin around the cup rim with one hand to release the suction, allowing the cup to lift off easily. Never pull or twist forcefully.Localized redness or purplish discoloration (bruising) is normal and will fade on its own. Avoid reapplying cups to areas with severe bruising. Prolonged cupping may cause blisters. Small blisters require no treatment, but prevent rubbing to avoid infection. Larger blisters can be punctured with a needle to drain fluid, then treated with gentian violet solution and covered with sterile dressing to prevent infection.
While cupping offers health benefits and wellness effects, it is crucial to note that pregnant women, those in the gestational period, and young children should avoid cupping to prevent adverse health impacts.