"Fire cupping" is a unique traditional Chinese therapeutic method with a long history, commonly known as "cupping" or "suction therapy." It is referred to as "fire cup therapy" in the Compendium of Materia Medica Supplement and as the "suction tube method" in Authentic Treatise on Surgery.Historically, it was primarily used for surgical abscesses. Initially, instead of cups, hollowed-out ox horns with small holes were placed over affected areas to draw out pus and blood, hence its alternative name "horn method" in ancient texts.This therapy employs cups as tools, utilizing heat to evacuate air and create negative pressure, causing suction against the skin and inducing localized blood stasis. Cupping artificially breaks capillaries through physical stimulation and negative pressure, triggering blood stasis. This activates the body's stem cell repair mechanisms and necrotic blood cell absorption functions, thereby promoting blood circulation, invigorating vital energy, regulating qi and blood, and enhancing and modulating the body's immune response.
Significance of Cupping Marks and Their Colors
1. Dark purple-black marks: Typically indicates insufficient blood supply, poor circulation, and blood stasis.
2. Purple marks with patches: Generally signifies cold-induced blood stasis syndrome.
3. Scattered purple dots of uniform depth: Indicates qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome.
4. Bright red marks: Generally indicates yin deficiency or deficiency of both qi and blood.
5. Scattered purple dots of varying depths: Indicates qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome.
3. Scattered purple dots of uniform depth: Indicates qi stagnation and blood stasis.
4. Bright crimson marks: Typically signifies yin deficiency, deficiency of both qi and blood, or yin deficiency with excessive heat.
5. Dull red marks: Indicates high blood lipids and the presence of heat pathogens.
6. Grayish-white marks that feel cool to the touch: Often due to deficiency cold or dampness.
7. Marks with skin patterns or slight itching: Indicates wind or dampness.
8. Condensation inside the cup: Signifies dampness in that area.
9. Blisters on the marks: Signifies heavy internal dampness. If the blisters contain bloody fluid, it indicates damp-heat toxicity.
Experts note that purple-red marks after cupping are normal and typically fade within about 7 days. To accelerate fading, apply heat packs or moxibustion 24 hours after cupping. Massaging the area may also help dissipate the marks.
This concludes our explanation of what cupping marks signify. We hope this information proves helpful. Wishing you good health and smooth sailing this winter.