Cupping
is an ancient technique that is still used by modern practitioners
of acupuncture. It is useful in the treatment of localised Qi
or blood flow caused by stagnation in the local channels. It is
usually performed as an alternative or in conjunction with acupuncture
and consists of placing cups over relevant acupuncture points.
Cupping has the advantage of being able to treat larger areas
of the body.
The cups are made from a tough, rounded glass (sometimes bamboo
maybe used). A rounded lighted taper is first held, for a short
time, inside the cup. The cup is then placed over the relevant
acupuncture point; the burning taper has effectively exhausted
the oxygen in the cup creating a vacuum this cause s the cup to
anchor at this point and draww the skin up. This has the effect
of encouraging the flow of Qi and blood beneath the cup and clearing
local stagnation
The cupping process requires a lot of skill; knowing when enough
oxygen has been removed from the cup and then quickly placing
the cup on the correct area of the body. Sometimes the treatment
requires what is known as "moving cupping" where the
area of the body to be treated is lightly smeared with soap or
oil and the cup is drawn around the area with the vacuum kept
intact, this will promote the flow of Qi and blood throught a
larger body area.
Care should be taken not to try self-administering this type of
therapy, especially using totally inappropriate types of cups.
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