Cupping therapy in
traditional Chinese
medicine
QI
• Qi is the life force itself. It is the invisible force behind all
happenings – like air and wind, immaterial yet with substance.
WEI QI
• Wei Qi is the protective / defensive Qi that travels just under the
skin within the membrane (thin layer of tissue which lines or
covers an organ). It forms the outermost defensive wall against all
external pathogens, such as Wind, Cold, Damp and Heat. Wei Qi
also regulates the opening and closing of the pores of the skin,
and is therefore in control of perspiration. It warms and nourishes
the skin, its source is Blood and Qi, and it is governed by the
Lungs.
STAGNATION
• In TCM the term ‘stagnation’ usually refers to congestion or
accumulation through lack of movement –movement of any kind
• Stagnation of Food (Food Accumulation)
• Stagnation of Body Fluids
• Qi Stagnation
Skin
• The main 14 channels with a direct link to the internal organs
(Zang-Fu) also lie within the skin. In stimulating a particular
point, with acupuncture, massage, Gua Sha or cupping, the
objective remains the same: through manipulation of the skin
to influence and change a particular organ’s Blood and Qi.
• If we look at this through the perspective of Western
medicine, it is the blood vessels, veins, arteries, the nervous
system and connective tissue, and through this network, each
cell in a particular area, that are responsible for the above.
However, from the TCM point of view it is the responsibility
of the channels, collaterals, Blood and Qi.
• According to TCM, the skin is influenced by and under the
direct control of the Lungs. When the Lung’s Qi is in
abundance the skin is nourished, glows and performs well,
and hair and nails all receive nourishment and look healthy.
Lungs spread the Qi and fluids all over the body through the
skin. Therefore, skin moisture is also dependent on healthy
lungs. Each Zang-Fu organ is represented by a channel on the
skin; therefore, a connection, or an open door, mediates with
external pathogens via the skin
Cupping and lymphatic system
• During cupping therapy, in
particular when ‘Moving
cupping’ is employed, both
blood and lymph circulatory
systems are simultaneously
stimulated to work more
efficiently. This results in a more
efficient collection and
transportation mechanism for
toxic substances, depositing
them into the lymphatic system
to be destroyed, and allowing
the circulation of fresh lymph in
order to nourish the tissues and
generate a booster to the
immune system
Large Intestine (LI) channel. Conditions of the
Lung (LU) channel. Conditions of the head, nose, throat, intestines, febrile diseases and
chest, nasal and fluid. Moving cupping or face (facial paralysis). Fixed cupping therapy on
Gua Sha on the channel can be the facial points and moving cupping or Gua Sha
employed. to the rest of the channel can be aplied.
Spleen (SP) channel. Conditions of the
Stomach (ST) channel. Conditions of the
stomach, spleen, intestines, lower extremities,
head, face, throat, digestion, leg and Qi.
Qi and urogenital. Cupping therapy on the
Cupping therapy on the facial and
abdominal points can be employed.
abdominal points can be employed.
Small Intestine (SI) channel. Conditions of the
Heart (HT) channel. head, neck, shoulders, eyes and emotional
Conditions of the chest, heart, nature. Cupping therapy on the
emotions and sleep. facial and shoulder points is applicable
Bladder (BL) channel. All Back-Shu points are located Kidney (K) channel. Conditions of abdominal,
on this channel; consequently, this is the most-used urogenital, Qi and emotional origin. Cupping therapy
channel in cupping therapy. All 10 methods can on the points on the trunk and leg can be employed.
safely be employed on this channel.
Pericardium (P) channel. Conditions San Jiao (Triple Warmer – SJ or TW) channel.
of the chest, heart, nausea and Conditions of the chest, ear, eye, throat and
emotional complaints. shoulders. Cupping therapy to the upper arm and
shoulder points can be employed.
Pericardium (P) channel. Conditions Liver (Liv) channel. Conditions of mental,
of the chest, heart, nausea and emotional, digestive and urogenital systems.
emotional complaints. Cupping therapy on the abdominal and leg points
can be employed.
Du Mai (Governing Vessel – DU or GV) channel.
Conditions of the head, neck, febrile diseases Ren Mai (Conception Vessel – Ren or CV) channel.
and Qi. All 10 cupping methods can safely be Conditions of abdomen, digestive, urogenital and
applied to this channel, on the trunk of the Qi. Limited cupping methods can be applied on this
body. channel.
Effect of cupping therapy
• Cupping application on its own is a unique expression
of a considerable energy exchange between the cells of
the physical layers of the body, which incidentally
triggers and kick-starts the healing process.
• The moment a cup is placed upon the skin this amazing
energy exchange begins to unfold. The negative power
inside the cup forces almost every molecule, cell, and
tissue into a movement, i.e. towards the source of the
power, which is the suction cup on top of the skin.
• When the pressure is released from the cup at the end
of a treatment, the skin and each physical parts and
particles directly under the cup returns to their original
state. As a direct result of this forced activity, Qi (life
force / energy) is created.
• With this newly found Qi, Heat is also generated. Heat
in turn accelerates the metabolic rate, hence triggering
the chain of activity and communication between the
cells, tissues, channels and finally the organs.
• Cupping regulates the flow of Qi and Blood. It helps to draw
out and eliminate pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold,
Damp and Heat. Cupping also moves Qi and Blood and opens
the pores of the skin, thus precipitating the removal of
pathogens through the skin itself.
• “nothing moves Qi and Blood faster than cupping”. From the
very start of its application one can observe the Blood moving
in the direction of the cup. Where a patient’s Qi is deficient
this movement will be slow; if the Qi is abundant it will be
much quicker. One can actually observe this process if glass
cups are used.
• cupping is particularly effective when the external pathogen
still resides in the superficial energetic area of the body, the
defensive / protective level (Wei Qi). Whatever the vessel
used, the objective of the treatment remains the same: to
remove the external pathogens from the deeper layers of the
body and restore the circulation of Qi, Blood and the Body
Fluids, thus bringing health to the sick.
Purification of Blood
• Professor Kentaro Takagi of Nagoya University - that the
skin-stimulating therapies are significant in that they awaken
the greatest responses in the circulatory system.
• Dr Katase of Osaka University suggests that this therapy may
influence the composition of blood: it may help to increases
red and white blood cells and changes acid blood into
alkaline or neutral. This leads to the purification of blood.
Effects on the Nervous System
• Cupping therapy stimulates the sensory nerves of the skin.
As demonstrated in a clinical experiment conducted at Kobe
University, the inhibitory effects on hypersensitive pain are
not limited to the area of direct treatment, but include the
areas controlled by the relevant nerves. Treatment on the
back is mainly directed to the central line (spinal nerves and
parasympathetic nerves) and the sympathetic nerves beside
it. The stimulation of these has, it can be said, a good
influence not only on the automatic nervous system itself
but also on various organs under its control.
TREATING THE JOINTS
When the area to be treated is around a joint, such as
the elbow or the ankle joint, small-sized cups are
• Application: Swollen joints, oedema, all Bi syndromes,
arthritis, rheumatic pains and paralysis conditions.
CUPPING ON THE HEAD AND NECK
• When treating the points on the head and the neck, it is best to
have the patient in a sitting up position on a chair while resting
the hands on the couch in front . Sometimes it might be
necessary to shave the head. Applying non-flammable gel on the
head might also help to obtain a good suction.
• Applications: Headache, migraine, eye conditions, ear
complaints, nasal condition, neck pains, neck spasms, post stroke,
paralysis, Bell’s palsy, torticollis (wry neck), whiplash injury,
toothache, throat complaints such as dry mouth, tonsillitis and
laryngitis and during the facial rejuvenation programme.
CUPPING THE FACIAL POINTS
During the facial cupping procedures, extra care is necessary as the
facial skin is quite sensitive and could easily cause cupping marks on
the skin to appear. In order to avoid cupping marks to the facial skin,
always choose the Light cupping technique and do not keep the cup in
a one position for more than 2 minutes at a time. As far as the
equipment is concerned, non-fire cupping sets such as the pistol
handle or the rubber and the silicon cups are more manageable while
working on the facial points.
• Application: Facial paralysis, Bell’s palsy, stroke, toothache, nasal
congestion, eye conditions and facial rejuvenation programme.
CUPPING ON THE ABDOMINAL POINTS
Cupping therapy to the abdominal points will always result in more flesh
being sucked into the cup! This is quite acceptable and normal since the
flesh around the abdomen is soft, loose and has no attachment to the
bone structure. We can see this more clearly when cupping below and
around the umbilicus points. Suction of more skin into the cup could be
deceiving and can be mistaken for a Strong cupping method. Confer with
your patient and make sure that the pressure inside the cup is not
excessive
• Application: Gynaecological complaints, infertility, abdominal pain,
abdominal spasm, indigestion, flatulence, constipation, diarrhoea,
liver-related conditions and during a weight-loss programme
Cupping procedure
The Cotton Ball Method
• Hold a ball of cotton wool soaked in 95%
alcohol with a pair of long forceps
(locking forceps are preferred) and set
fire to it. Any excess alcohol must be
squeezed out of the cotton wool before
setting it alight (poor handling skills and
dropping saturated cotton wool on the
patient is the most commonly seen
accident during cupping treatment).
Cupping Torch Method
• This is relatively a new flame device,
which has been introduced to the TCM
clinics in the last 10 years. It is a flame
holder that has a long metal holding
arm, and a head that is made from an
absorbent material. Prior to setting light
to the torch, the practitioner presses on
the alcohol dispenser, which brings the
alcohol to the surface ready for soaking
the torch. Once soaked in alcohol it is lit
for use.
The Wick Method
• (Not suitable for children under 16 years
old.) Pure cotton or linen fabric is
wrapped and secured around a coin and
the excess material cut 2–2.5 cm above
the coin. The ends of the wick are dipped
in oil (any natural oil will do). Do not use
alcohol to wet the wick as the alcohol will
run down the coin and cause fire when
the wick is lit.
• Light the tips of the wick and wait for a
few seconds before the wick is fully alight
(as the wick burns the coin remains cold).
Gently lower the cup over the burning
wick without delay (any delay at this
junction will heat up the coin!). Do not
use pressure or press the cup over the
wick. Gentle lowering of the cup will be
sufficient to obtain a very firm and strong
suction. The strength of the suction can
be adjusted simply by thumb pressure on
the edge of the cup, letting a small
amount of air into the cup to reduce its
pulling power.
• This reducing technique is often used,
especially when the desired cupping
method is light or medium strength
The Alcohol Rub Method
• Cotton wool is held and locked with
forceps and soaked in alcohol. Light
the cotton ball and rub the flame
inside to the bottom of the cup.
Following the rubbing action
simultaneously turn the cup on the
desired location. Again, before
lighting the cotton wool remember
to squeeze out the excess alcohol.
Otherwise there is a real risk of fire
with alcohol running down the edges
of the cup and to the skin causing
burns.
The Lighter Flame Method
• An ordinary gas cooker flamethrower
is used to briefly introduce fire into
the cup. Although this may seem as a
‘much safer’ option for cupping, due
to the poor quality volume of the
flame the suction strength is
somewhat weak. This method is
preferred by some practitioners as
no alcohol is involved
The Paper Burning Method
• A piece of paper is cut to the size of the cup and folded
several times (this stops the paper falling back on the
skin when lit). Once the paper is lit, it is then thrown
into the cup (flame facing the bottom of the cup) and
simultaneously turned on the skin. This method usually
manages to attain Light to Medium cupping strength
• To Bleed Or Not To Bleed? • Cup removal
IS THE CUPPING MARKING A BRUISE OR AN ECCHYMOSIS?
• Bruise should have at least two characteristics: (1) contain a dark and
painful area; and (2) be the result of a blow, injury or trauma.
• The noun ‘ecchymosis’, however, is explained as ‘local leakage of blood into
the skin from the capillaries that occurs spontaneously and is also painless’.
• All skin marks that are the result of cupping therapy, however dark they
may appear, are not painful. There is no external or internal damage
inflicted to the skin. Capillaries do not leak as result of ‘injury or blow to
blood vessels’. Also, all bruises will turn yellowy-green before totally fading
away.
