Cupping is one of the methods commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating illnesses and promoting health and wellness. With modern people placing greater emphasis on health, cupping has also become a popular choice for contemporary wellness practices. Of course, since cupping is fundamentally a method within traditional Chinese medicine for treating and preventing diseases, it is essential to observe post-cupping precautions to ensure optimal results.
While many modern individuals recognize the health benefits of cupping, they often overlook the post-treatment precautions. Neglecting these guidelines not only diminishes the treatment's efficacy but may also adversely affect one's health. Therefore, those preparing to undergo cupping therapy must be mindful of the following:
(1) Maintain proper positioning. Cupping jars may detach if the skin area has wrinkles, loose skin, uneven scarring, or shifts during treatment.
(2) Select appropriately sized jars for different body regions. When using the fire-lighter method, ensure the flame is strong and work swiftly, tilting the jar 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 is removed safely. With the fire-stand method, position the stand precisely to avoid knocking over the burning flame. 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 that could bend the needle. Avoid pushing the needle too deeply to prevent injury. Exercise caution when using 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; the total volume for adults should not exceed 10ml per session.
(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 gliding cupping, avoid moving cups over bony prominences to prevent skin injury or cup detachment due to 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. Avoid forceful pulling or twisting.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.
This concludes our introduction to post-cupping care. We hope this information proves helpful. Wishing you good health and smooth sailing this winter.