Active Health Foundation

Cupping Technique
By James O’Sullivan Lic.Ac. C.Ac. (China)

In the ancient times in China Cupping technique was called “horn method”. It works on
the principal of vacuum, where negative pressure is created by introducing heat (in the
form of an ignited material) into the cup and then applying the cup to the surface of the
skin. The original animal horn was used to dispel pus and caused local congestion.

Through clinical practice, the development of the Cups has greatly improved, with the
use of natural materials. The therapeutic effect is good resulting in an increase in the
range of indications, to which it is used as a treatment. This therapy has attracted huge
attention and is applied in a large scale by the broad masses in China, and it is also used
as a complementary method to Acupuncture and Moxibustion.

Types of Jars
There are a great variety of jars, but the most commonly
used are as follows:
Bamboo Jars: made from a cut section of bamboo
3 – 7cm in diameter and 8 – 10cm in length,
forming as cylinder shaped as a drum. The rim of
the jar should be sanded and rubbed to form a
smooth edge. The bamboo jar is light, economical,
easy to make and available in many places.
Glass cup: because the cup is transparent, local
congestion at the site for Moxibustion can be seen so as to control treatment.

Indications:
The function of cupping is to warm and promote the smooth flow of Qi and Blood in the
channels. It will dispel Cold Dampness and it also reduces swelling and pain.
In clinic, the cupping technique is primarily used to treat “Bi Syndrome” caused by the
pathogens, Wind, Cold and Damp, with symptoms such as pain of the lower back,
shoulders and leg. It is also used to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as abdominal
pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, and lung disharmony such as cough and asthma. It is
combined with bloodletting as a particularly effective method for treating acute sprains
with Blood stasis.

©James O'Sullivan www.active-health.org

Active Health Foundation

Manipulation:

Fire Throwing Method – This method is applied to the lateral side of the body,
otherwise the burning cotton ball may fall and hurt the skin. Throw a piece of ignited
alcohol soaked cotton ball into the cup, then rapidly place the mouth of the cup firmly
against the skin on the desired location.

Fire Twinkling Method – Clamp a cotton ball soaked in 95% alcohol with a forceps or
nippers, ignite it and put it into the cup, and immediately take it out and place the cup on
the selected point.
Flash Cupping Method – Can be applied with both Bamboo and Glass Cups.
The cup is sucked in place for ten minutes. The skin becomes congested with
violet coloured blood stasis formation.
Running Cup Method – Applied with Glass Cup only. This method is only
performed on a large area, as it is restricted over bony and small areas. Apply a
little Vaseline or massage oil to the required area, this helps to form a secure
vacuum for the glass cup. Apply cup in the same way, once vacuum is achieved
push and pull the cup along channel or muscle to be treated.

Withdrawing the Cup – Hold the cup in your right hand and press the skin
around the rim of the cup with your left hand to let air in.
Bloodletting Method – (Do Not Use Running Cup) First sterilize the area to be
treated for cupping and prick a small vein with a triangular needle or intra-dermal
needle and apply cup.

Precautions:
The patient should be placed in a comfortable position. Decide which size cups
are to be used, different size cups for different locations. The area selected should
ideally contain abundant elastic muscle, smooth skinned and free from bone
ridges.
The burning flame should be strong enough to create a vacuum. Hold the cup with
the rim close to the local area and cup it to the skin quickly and deftly, otherwise
no therapeutic effect will be achieved.
It is not advisable to apply cupping to a patient with skin ulcer, oedema, or on an
area overlying large blood vessels, to a patient with a high fever, convulsion. Or
to the abdominal and sacral area of a pregnant woman.
Do not apply cupping to a patient susceptible to spontaneous bleeding or endless
bleeding after trauma.
After cupping, there is a blood stasis or bruise at the local area. Generally this will
disappear after a few days. Small blisters occurring on the skin will absorb
naturally several days later. If the blisters are severe draw out the liquid by sterile
needle, apply gentian violet and cover them with gauze to prevent infection.
In case of cupping combined with bloodletting, remove the blood from the
punctured hole with a dry cotton ball.

©James O'Sullivan www.active-health.org