Cupping is a traditional Chinese medicine method commonly used for disease treatment and health preservation. With modern society's growing emphasis on wellness, cupping has become a popular choice for contemporary health maintenance. However, as cupping remains a TCM approach to treating and preventing illness, post-treatment precautions must be observed to achieve optimal results. Below are key considerations for cupping therapy.
(1) Maintain proper body positioning. Cupping may detach if the skin area has wrinkles, loose skin, uneven scarring, or shifts during treatment.
(2) Select appropriately sized cups for different body regions. When using the fire-cup method, ensure the flame is strong and work swiftly, tilting the cup opening 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 carefully. 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 amount 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 sliding cupping, avoid moving cups over bony prominences to prevent skin injury 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. 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.
We have now covered the precautions for cupping therapy. It is important to note that while cupping offers health benefits and promotes wellness, it is not recommended for pregnant women, women during pregnancy, young children, and similar groups to avoid potential health risks.