cupping

Apr

2016

Cupping Therapy in TCM

Cupping, Báguàn 拔罐, is a traditional technique that uses specialized glass or bamboo cups on particular surface areas of the body. A vacuum seal is created by using a small flame as a source to suction out air, although suction can be created using a hand-held pump device and a slightly different type of glass cup that it attaches to. The suction that is created within any of these types of cups releases the flow of QI in the muscle layers, helping to alleviate wind headache, colds and flu with body aching, ‘Bi’ or painful syndromes, as well as useful for detoxification, and asthma. Reddish or purple circular markings may remain at the local area for several days following a cupping treatment as stagnation is drawn from deeper layers of tissue up to the surface. This is a completely natural result.

This practitioner has excellent technique in the application of fire into the cups and getting good suction.

Mar

2013

LIVING OUR ESSENCE ☯

Living Essence

Arising like a tree from a common source of roots, we have Essence and are here to unfurl it; contributing to the fabric of the myriad of all things.

Subject to the constant changing of Life, rhythms and timing, opening and closing, we pass thru patterns and dimensions.

Channels and the body’s physical processes interpret and regulate, carrying original imprint back to the cosmos where all is enfolded as one.

Nov

2012

Cupping Treatment

Skin becomes reddened due to the congestion of blood flow where superficial muscular layers have been drawn up and held within a bulbusly-shaped cup [the cup most effectively used is made of glass]. Suction is induced by fire or by modern means of a pump device. Cupping is applied where physical pain is deeper than the tissues being suctioned. It is beneficial in treatment of chronic obstructive and accumulation conditions. Cupping treatment can be administered with the cups in stationary placement, or with oil applied to the skin before cups are moved in a gliding fashion over the musculature; referred to as ‘moving cups’.

Suction Cup Treatment / ©Image ElementalChanges / Wendy Brown, Lic.Ac.

The earliest use of cupping dates to early 3oo A.D., recorded by Taoist alchemist & herbalist, Ge Hong as ‘Fire Jar QI’ [Huo Quan QI]. Cups would also be boiled in an herbal decoction just prior to applying to the skin, accentuating effects by fusing herbs into the cupping treatment. Cupping over an acupuncture needle is a current method chosen for the treatment of arthralgia. And in certain cases, blood letting [Luo Ci ‘Vessel Pricking’] a few drops of blood with a 3-edged lancet, and then applying the cup over the site, strongly rectifies toxic heat with blood stasis.

Arising like a tree from a common source of roots, we have Essence and are here to unfurl it; contributing to the fabric of the myriad of all things.

Subject to the constant changing of Life, rhythms and timing, opening and closing, we pass thru patterns and dimensions.

Channels and the body’s physical processes interpret and regulate, carrying original imprint back to the cosmos where all is enfolded as one.

Displays of the distinctive, temporary, circular residual marks from cupping treatment.