Cupping

Last Monday we practiced cupping. It was very interesting! Cupping works by warming up points and channels to release toxins and get rid of disease in our body. It also activates the lymphatic system, activate the skin, clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, and to stop pain. Often times cupping is an alternative for painkillers when someone has external pain. Cupping also helps strengthen the Qi (the supernatural energy within us that moves blood in our body) sensation, accelerate the acupuncture results and help make bleeding on pain points after acupuncture.

Cupping is done by applying a jar, from which the air has been expelled with heat to create a vacuum inside and to produce suction of the jar to the skin.

We had cupping practice led by the doctors of Yunnan TCM hospital. I had to try it! So I did. There are different ways of performing cupping. The doctor did the sliding cupping method on my back. It felt like a really good massage. I’d say it was the best massage I ever had.

I can briefly try to explain the procedure involved with cupping. First, the doctor disinfected his hands. Then, he poured a lubricant on my back. Then, he grabbed a cotton swab and dipped it in an alcohol-based liquid. Then, he grabbed a sterilized jar and the lighter. While standing close by, he tilted the jar at a 45 degree angle and lit near the opening of the jar for two seconds. The doctor immediately placed the cup on the skin and that’s it! It’s so easy. We had the opportunity to practice on our classmates.

I tried one jar at first but it was boring. So I asked to have six on my back for the experience. It didn’t hurt. But after a while it felt like my back was sun burnt. I had them for like a few minutes. It has been two days and I still have the circle-shaped bruises of the cups on my back.  Everyone should try this at least once in their life!