Cupping Therapy
Traditional and modern cupping techniques — methods, indications, TCM theory, and practical guidance for this ancient therapeutic practice.
Cupping therapy uses suction cups applied to the skin to draw stagnant blood, toxins, and pathogenic factors to the surface for elimination. One of TCM's oldest external therapies, cupping relieves pain, promotes circulation, and treats respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions.
Traditional
Fire Cupping
A cotton ball or small piece of gauze is clamped with hemostatic forceps, soaked in alcohol (typically 95% ethanol), lit, and briefly inserted into a thick glass or bamboo cup to consume the oxygen inside.
Dry Cupping
Dry cupping follows the same principle as fire cupping but is defined by the absence of any skin incision -- the cups are applied to intact skin using suction alone, without bloodletting.
Wet Cupping (Hijama)
Wet cupping combines cupping with controlled bloodletting in a two-step process.
Flash Cupping
Flash cupping (Shan Guan) involves the rapid, repeated application and removal of cups on the same area.
Modern
Silicone Cupping
Silicone cups are squeezed with the fingers to expel air, placed against the skin, and then released to create suction as the cup regains its shape.
Pump Cupping
Pump cupping uses plastic or polycarbonate cups fitted with a one-way valve at the top.
Magnetic Cupping
Magnetic cupping uses cups fitted with one or more permanent magnets (typically rare earth neodymium magnets rated at 1,000-3,000 gauss) positioned inside the cup so that the magnetic field penetrates the skin when the cup is applied.
Specialized
Facial Cupping
Facial cupping uses very small, soft silicone cups (typically 1-3 cm in diameter) with gentle suction applied for very brief durations.
Sliding / Gliding Cupping
Sliding cupping (Zou Guan) begins with the generous application of massage oil or lubricant to the treatment area.
Needle Cupping
Needle cupping combines acupuncture with cupping by first inserting an acupuncture needle at the target point, then placing a cup over the inserted needle.
Herbal Cupping
Herbal cupping infuses the cupping treatment with the therapeutic properties of Chinese herbal medicine.
Water Cupping
Water cupping uses cups partially filled with warm water or herbal decoction.