Cupping
Cupping is a therapy in which a jar is attached to the skin surface to cause local congestion
through the negative pressure created by introducing heat in the form of an ignited material. In ancient times in China, the cupping method was
called the "horn method" because an animal horn was used.
Along with continual development in clinical practice, the materials for making jars and the
methods have been greatly improved. The range of indications has been expanded since this method is simple and the therapeutic effect is good.
This therapy has attracted great attention and is applied in large scale by the broad masses, and also used as an auxiliary method of acupuncture
and moxibusiton.
There are a great variety of jars, but most commonly used in clinical practice is the bamboo jar and the glass cup. Dr. Sundara usually prefers to use glass jars because since the glass cup is transparent, the local congestion at the site for moxibustion can be seen so as to control the treatment.
The cupping method warms and promotes the free flow of qi and blood in the meridians, dispelling cold dampness, diminishing swellings and pains.
In clinics, the cupping method is mainly used to treat Bi syndrome caused by wind dampness, such as pain of the low back, shoulders, and leg,
gastrointestinal disorders such as stomachache, vomiting, and diarrhea, and the lung disease such as cough and asthma.
Using tweezers, an ignited cotton ball (soaked with alcohol) is placed into a glass cup to create a vacuum. Then the mouth of the cup is rapidly
placed firmly against the skin on the desired location. This method is applied to the lateral side of the body, mostly on the back or another
part of the body.
After cupping, there may be blood stasis or bruising at the local area. Generally, it will disappear several days later.
