Cupping devices Buying Guide

I. Equipment Introduction

1. Equipment Overview Cupping devices, as a therapeutic instrument with a long history and wide application in the field of traditional medicine, have the core function of creating negative pressure within the cup, allowing it to firmly adhere to the surface of the human skin, thereby achieving specific therapeutic effects. It typically consists of a sturdy and durable cup body and a valve body used to generate or release negative pressure. Its working principle is that under the action of negative pressure, local skin and subcutaneous tissues become congested and ecchymotic, capillaries rupture, leading to an improvement in local tissue microcirculation, which in turn promotes the circulation of qi and blood, relaxes tendons and activates collaterals, reduces swelling and pain, and expels wind and cold. It is an effective auxiliary means for addressing many problems such as muscle strain, rheumatic pain, and stagnant qi and blood.

2. Introduction to Equipment Types Cupping devices can be divided into various types based on the method of generating negative pressure and their material:

   • By method of negative pressure generation:
     • Fire Cupping: The most traditional cupping method, which generates negative pressure by burning oxygen inside the cup (e.g., by igniting an alcohol-soaked cotton ball and quickly applying the cup). The cup body is mostly made of glass or ceramic.
     • Vacuum Cupping (Vacuum Cupping Device): The mainstream of modern cupping, the cup body is mostly made of plastic, and negative pressure is generated by drawing air out of the cup using a manual pump or an integrated valve on top of the cup. It is easy to operate and highly safe.
     • Water Cupping/Herbal Cupping: Herbal liquid or dregs are added to the cup, and the cup is made to adhere to the skin by heating or suction, while also exerting the medicinal effects.
   • By cup material:
     • Glass Cups: High transparency, easy to observe skin changes, high temperature resistant, often used for fire cupping.
     • Plastic Cups: Lightweight, not easily broken, mostly used for vacuum cupping, available in various shapes and sizes.
     • Silicone Cups: Soft, good elasticity, can generate negative pressure by direct squeezing, extremely simple to operate, suitable for home use, but with relatively weaker suction.
     • Bamboo Cups/Ceramic Cups: Traditional materials, possess certain thermal insulation properties, mostly used for fire cupping or herbal cupping.

3. Introduction to Equipment Functions The core function of cupping devices lies in their unique negative pressure suction effect, from which various therapeutic effects are derived:

   • Generate local negative pressure: This is the basic function of all cupping devices, whether by burning oxygen or mechanical suction, ensuring the cup can stably adhere to the skin.
   • Promote blood circulation: Negative pressure stimulates local vasodilation, accelerates blood flow, improves microcirculation, increases tissue oxygen supply, and helps excrete metabolic waste.
   • Relieve pain and inflammation: By improving local qi and blood circulation, it reduces muscle tension and spasms, and has good analgesic and anti-inflammatory auxiliary effects for neck, shoulder, waist, and leg pain, arthritis, etc.
   • Expel wind, disperse cold, and remove dampness: Negative pressure and local warming help open pores and expel pathogenic wind, cold, and dampness from the body, having certain efficacy for rheumatic pain, common cold, etc.
   • Regulate zang-fu organ functions: Cupping along meridians and at acupoints can stimulate corresponding meridians and acupoints, indirectly regulating zang-fu organ functions, such as relieving indigestion and irregular menstruation.
   • Detoxification and beauty: Theoretically, through suction and stimulation on the skin surface, it helps excrete toxins from the body and improves skin condition.
   • Technical characteristics: Relatively simple structure, convenient operation, non-invasive, easy to learn and master, and most devices are reusable, economical and practical.

II. Scope of Application

1. Application Scenarios Due to their unique therapeutic mechanism and wide range of indications, cupping devices are widely used in various medical and healthcare settings, as well as in home environments:

   • Medical institutions: Outpatient and inpatient departments of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rehabilitation, Pain Management, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, etc., as an auxiliary treatment method.
   • Professional wellness clubs/beauty salons: As part of Traditional Chinese Medicine characteristic physical therapy, body conditioning, and beauty treatments.
   • Home environment: Under the guidance of professionals, it can be used as a common tool for daily health care, relieving minor discomforts, and home physical therapy.

2. Applicable Diseases and Symptoms Cupping therapy is mainly aimed at the following diseases or related symptoms caused by them:

   • Musculoskeletal system diseases: Cervical spondylosis, periarthritis of the shoulder, lumbar muscle strain, sciatica, rheumatoid arthritis, various soft tissue injuries (such as sprains, contusions in recovery period), muscle soreness, stiffness, etc.
   • Respiratory system diseases: Common cold, cough, bronchitis (remission period), asthma (remission period), etc.
   • Digestive system diseases: Epigastric pain, abdominal distension, indigestion, chronic diarrhea, etc.
   • Nervous system diseases: Headache, migraine, facial paralysis (recovery period), insomnia, neurasthenia, etc.
   • Gynecological diseases: Dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation (cold-coagulation and blood-stasis type), etc.
   • Others: Acne, obesity (adjunctive therapy), fatigue syndrome, skin itching (non-infectious), etc.
   • Main symptoms: Local pain, numbness, stiffness, swelling, restricted movement, aversion to cold, cold-damp stagnation, etc.

3. Contraindicated Populations To ensure treatment safety and effectiveness, cupping should be contraindicated in the following populations or situations:

   • Patients with skin diseases: Skin allergies, ulcers, damage, edema, infection, open wounds, tumor sites, pulsating large arteries, enlarged lymph nodes, varicose veins, skin scars, and other areas.
   • Patients with hemorrhagic diseases: Such as hemophilia, leukemia, purpura, or those with a bleeding tendency.
   • Patients with coagulation disorders: Those currently taking anticoagulant medications (e.g., warfarin, aspirin, etc.).
   • Patients with severe organic diseases: Severe heart disease, renal failure, liver cirrhosis, emphysema, etc.
   • Pregnant women: Especially on the abdomen, lumbosacral region, and breasts.
   • Patients with high fever, convulsions, spasms, extreme weakness, or mental illness.
   • Those who are extremely hungry, overly full, intoxicated, profusely sweating, or extremely thirsty.
   • Children and the elderly: With delicate or poor elastic skin, should be used with caution, and the cupping duration should be reduced, with negative pressure not being too high.
   • Those allergic to the material of the cupping device.

III. Usage Guidelines and Precautions

1. Method/Steps of Use or Operation Correct use of cupping devices is key to ensuring efficacy and safety. The following are general operating steps:

   1. Preparation: Prepare cupping devices (choose fire cups, vacuum cups, etc., according to type), alcohol cotton balls, lighter/alcohol lamp (for fire cupping), vacuum pump (for vacuum cupping), lubricant (optional), disinfectant cotton swabs, towels, etc. Ensure the environment is warm and comfortable.
   2. Cleaning and disinfection: Clean the patient's skin at the cupping site and disinfect the cupping device.
   3. Acupoint selection and positioning: Select appropriate acupoints or painful/tender points based on the treatment purpose and patient symptoms. A small amount of lubricant can be applied to the skin to allow the cup to adhere more tightly or for moving cupping.
   4. Generate negative pressure and suction:
      • Fire Cupping: Use tweezers to hold an alcohol-soaked cotton ball, ignite it, quickly swirl it inside the cup, and then quickly place the cup opening on the selected area.
      • Vacuum Cupping: Adhere the cup to the skin, use a vacuum pump to draw air out of the cup until the skin is raised and flushed, and the negative pressure is moderate.
   5. Retain cup and observe: Maintain the cup's suction state, generally retaining the cup for 5-15 minutes. During this period, observe the patient's reaction, and remove the cup immediately if there is any discomfort. The retention time should not be too long, especially for first-time users or those with sensitive skin.
   6. Remove cup:
      • Fire Cupping: Press the skin near the cup opening with one hand, tilt the cup body with the other hand to allow air to enter, and gently remove it. Do not pull forcefully.
      • Vacuum Cupping: Press the exhaust valve on top of the cup, wait for air to enter the cup, and remove the cup after it naturally loosens.
   7. Aftercare: Wipe the skin at the cupping site, observe local reactions (such as ecchymosis, flushing), instruct the patient to keep warm after cupping, avoid catching a cold and bathing. Clean and disinfect the cupping device again.

2. Common Error Reminders To ensure safe and effective cupping, the following common errors should be avoided:

   1. Excessive negative pressure or prolonged cupping time: This is the most common mistake, easily leading to blisters, skin damage, or even infection. Negative pressure should be adjusted according to the patient's constitution, body part, and tolerance (skin flushing and local warmth are appropriate), and the cupping time should not exceed 15 minutes, shorter for those with delicate skin.
   2. Improper selection of cupping site: Avoid areas with skin wounds, inflammation, allergies, tumors, large blood vessels, bony prominences, and dense hair.
   3. Rough cup removal method: Forcefully pulling or tearing the cup can damage the skin. Always remove the cup gently, ensuring air enters the cup to allow it to detach naturally.
   4. Non-standard fire cupping operation: Excessive alcohol, insufficient ignition, slow operation, or direct contact of alcohol flame with the skin can lead to burns. Operators must undergo professional training to ensure skilled and swift technique.
   5. Incomplete cleaning and disinfection of devices: Especially when shared by multiple people, incomplete cleaning and disinfection can lead to cross-infection. Strict disinfection procedures must be followed after each use.
   6. Failure to keep warm promptly after cupping: After cupping, local pores open, making them susceptible to wind and cold invasion, leading to a cold or worsening existing symptoms. Attention should be paid to keeping warm, avoiding direct drafts and cold showers.
   7. Ignoring contraindications: Forcibly cupping in contraindicated populations or inappropriate situations can lead to serious adverse consequences. Before use, it is essential to inquire about the patient's medical history in detail to rule out contraindications.
   8. Improper handling of cupping reactions: The appearance of purplish-red skin and ecchymosis after cupping is normal and usually subsides on its own after a few days. However, if severe pain, large blisters, signs of infection, or general discomfort occur, stop immediately and seek medical help.