The Ancient Chinese Method of Cupping | Aiyana Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs

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Cupping

Cupping
Cupping is a very effective method of treatment used for diseases such as coughing, chest congestion, common cold, arthritic pain, muscular pain, stomach-ache, and headache. It is contra-indicated for high- fever, allergic skin conditions or ulcerated sores, area of thin muscle or boney angles and depression and on the back or abdomen of pregnant women. There are many other considerations your practitioner takes into account when deciding if this method is appropriate.

How Does Cupping Work?
A vacuum is created in a glass or bamboo "cup" with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol (See Fig. 1). The cotton ball is ignited and inserted into the cup which will evacuate some air creating a vacuum (See Fig. 2). The cotton ball is withdrawn and the cup is quickly placed on the skin. The cup remains in place for 5-15 minutes and may leave a bruise. Sometimes a medium such as Kwan Loong oil is applied to the mouth of the cup or the patient's skin, then the practitioner slides the cup along a large body surface such as the back or thigh until skin redness is noted. This technique is known as moving cupping or sliding cupping (See Fig. 3). Other methods of cupping combine the use of acupuncture needles or herbal medicine preparations such as ginger juice.

Is Cupping Painful?
Cupping is generally not painful. Some people who suffer from fibromyalgia or Epstein-Barr disease or other chronic muscular disorders or chronic viral diseases may feel some discomfort and should report it to their practitioner. Most patients report significant improvement after a cupping treatment.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Read What People are Saying About Aiyana Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs:

A letter from one of our patients to her OBGYN:

"I am writing to let you know that I have been receiving TCM treatment (acupuncture and Chinese herbs) for the abnormal uterine bleeding for which you examined me back in May. As you know from our last conversation, as soon as I stopped the progesterone, the bleeding resumed. I quickly did some research to find a TCM doctor, as I was extremely uncomfortable with the recommended treatment to go on the [birth control] pill.

I began treatment with Juliette Aiyana, L.Ac. of the Aiyana Center for Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. Her herbal and acupuncture treatments stopped the abnormal bleeding as well as restored my period to a five day, light, clot free flow. I am thrilled with the healing process I am experiencing.

If you have other patients like me who prefer holistic, natural medicine or treatment, she is happy to receive referrals from your office. Juliette is a compassionate, enthusiastic practitioner of TCM. She also commits a considerate amount of time at every office visit educating her patients about their condition and treatment."
- Theresa