Briefly introduce the principle of cupping therapy:

Cupping, also known as cupping and air inhalation therapy, was called angular therapy in ancient times. This is a kind of therapy with cups and jars as tools, which generates negative pressure by heating the air discharged from them, so that it can be sucked on the skin and cause blood stagnation. Ancient doctors used it to suck blood and expel pus when treating sores and abscesses, and later it was extended to medical diseases such as tuberculosis and rheumatism. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, cupping therapy has made new development, further expanding the scope of treatment and becoming an important therapy in acupuncture treatment.

Cupping mechanism

1. Negative pressure. Scholars at home and abroad have found that when the human body is cupped and sucked under negative pressure, a large number of bubbles will overflow on the skin surface, thus strengthening the gas exchange in local tissues. Through examination, it was also observed that negative pressure caused local capillary permeability change and capillary rupture, and a small amount of blood entered the gap, resulting in blood stasis, destruction of red blood cells, release of hemoglobin and autohemolysis. In the body's self-regulation, it has the effects of promoting qi and blood circulation, relaxing tendons and activating collaterals, relieving swelling and pain, expelling wind and removing dampness. , and play a positive role in stimulating it, prompting it to return to normal function.

2. Warm cupping can stimulate local skin, especially cupping, watering can and medicine can. Warm stimulation can dilate blood vessels, promote local blood circulation, improve congestion, strengthen metabolism, accelerate the discharge of wastes and toxins in the body, change the nutritional status of local tissues, enhance the permeability of blood vessel walls, enhance the phagocytosis of white blood cells and reticular cells, enhance local tolerance and body resistance, and play the role of warming meridians, dispelling cold, clearing heat and detoxifying, thus achieving the purpose of promoting disease improvement.

3. The adjustment of cupping is based on negative pressure or warm action. First, it regulates the nervous system. Because of hemolysis, it gives the body a series of benign stimuli, which act on the peripheral receptors of the nervous system and transmit to the heart and reach the cerebral cortex. In addition, the warm stimulation of cupping on the local skin is introduced into the central nervous system through the reflex channels of skin receptors and vascular receptors, which makes it reflexively excited, thus regulating the excitement and inhibition process of the cerebral cortex, making it tend to be balanced, strengthening the regulatory function of the cerebral cortex on various parts of the body, making the corresponding tissues of the affected skin metabolize vigorously, enhancing the phagocytosis, recovering the body, adjusting the imbalance of Yin and Yang, and gradually curing the disease.

The second is to regulate microcirculation and improve metabolism. The main function of microcirculation is the material exchange between blood and tissues, and the regulation of its function is of great significance in physiology and pathology. But also can strengthen lymphatic circulation and make the phagocytosis of lymphocytes active. In addition, due to the phenomenon of self-hemolysis after cupping, a histamine-like substance is immediately produced, which flows all over the body with body fluids, stimulates various organs, enhances their functional vitality, and contributes to the recovery of body functions.

4. Different cupping methods have different functions on the basis of cupping, and different cupping methods have their own special functions. For example, moving cupping has the functions of massage therapy and health scraping, which can improve the breathing and nutrition of the skin, facilitate the secretion of sweat glands and sebaceous glands, enhance the elasticity and activity of joints and tendons, and promote the surrounding blood circulation; Can increase the blood flow of muscle, enhance the working ability and endurance of muscle, and prevent muscle atrophy; It can also deepen breathing, enhance gastrointestinal peristalsis, excite nerves that dominate abdominal organs, and enhance the secretion function of gastrointestinal organs; It can accelerate the blood return in venous blood vessels, reduce the resistance of large circulation, reduce the burden on the heart, and adjust the blood flow and reserve distribution of muscles and organs. Slow and light manipulation has a calming effect on the nervous system; Fast and heavy manipulation has a certain exciting effect on the nervous system.

Moving cupping along meridians can also improve the functions of various meridians, which is beneficial to the adjustment of the overall functions of meridians. Another example is drug cupping. Under the action of negative pressure and warmth in the pot, local pores and sweat glands are opened, capillaries are dilated, blood circulation is accelerated, and more drugs can be directly absorbed. According to different drugs, the curative effect is different. For dermatoses, cupping therapy is more effective in local treatment. The water tank method is mainly to warm meridians and dispel cold; The method of pricking collaterals and cupping is mainly to dispel blood stasis and stagnation, and to dredge orifices and knots; Because of the different acupuncture methods, the combination of acupuncture and cupping can produce various effects.

The origin of cupping

Cupping therapy is one of the medical heritages of the motherland and has been used in China for a long time. Ge Hong, a medical scientist in Jin Dynasty, wrote an emergency prescription for elbow backup, in which there is a record of angular method. The so-called horn method is an external treatment method of sucking abscess with hollowed-out animal horns. In the Tang Dynasty, Wang Dao wrote "The Secret of Outer Taiwan", which also introduced the treatment of cupping with bamboo tube. For example, the article says, "... take a three-fingered bamboo tube, one and a half inches long, with a knot at one end and no knot as thin as a sword." Boil the tube a few times, then heat it out, press it on the ink spot of the cage for a long time, then bend the corner with a knife and cook it again to make it yellow. " Judging from the above-mentioned angle method and cupping made of green bamboo tube, cupping was popular in Jin and Tang Dynasties in China.

In addition, Zhao Xuemin's Compendium of Materia Medica in Qing Dynasty, Wu Shangxian's Li Long Jiao Wen and Zong Yi Jin Jian's Heart of Surgery clearly introduced the origin, usage and indications of cupping in China.

Types of canned food

Commonly used types of cans are as follows:

(1) Bamboo tube cupping: Take a solid and mature bamboo tube with one end open and the other end reserved as the bottom. The diameter of the spout is 3, 4 and 5 cm, and the length is about 8 ~ 10 cm. Large caliber, used for big waist and buttocks. Small caliber, used for joints of limbs. As for bamboo cupping, which is not commonly used for a long time, it is too dry and easy to penetrate into the air. Soak in warm water for a few minutes before use, so that the bamboo pot is tight and airtight before use. Bamboo is produced in the south, and bamboo pots are often used.

(2) Ceramic cupping: called ceramic cupping, it is made of clay with a round mouth and a big belly, then coated with black glaze or yellow glaze and fired in a kiln. There are several kinds, including large, medium, small and super-small. Ceramic cans are smooth inside and outside, with large pulling force, economical and practical, and are commonly used in rural areas in northern China.

(3) Glass cupping: Glass cupping is made of heat-resistant hard glass. It is shaped like a basket barrel, with a small belly and a slightly protruding edge. Divided into 1, 2, 3 sizes, clear and transparent, easy to observe, smooth bottle mouth, good suction force. Therefore, glass cupping is widely used.

(4) Air extraction tank: use penicillin, streptomycin or similar small medicine bottles to cut off the bottom of the bottle and smooth it. The incision should be smooth and the rubber stopper of the bottle mouth should be kept intact to facilitate the application of air extraction. The prior art is made of transparent plastic and is not easy to break. The piston is arranged above, which is convenient for air pumping.

Suction extraction method and its application

First, the suction method: At present, the commonly used methods of cupping are as follows:

1, cupping method: air is exhausted by the heat of flame during combustion, so that negative pressure is formed in the can and the can is sucked on the skin. There are several ways:

(1) Fire throwing method: roll the tissue paper into paper roll or cut into thin paper strips. When the temperature reaches 1/3, put it in a jar and quickly tap the cupping at the selected part. When throwing fire, whether using paper roll or paper, it must be more than one inch higher than the jar mouth. When it is burned to about one inch, the paper roll and paper can stand on one side of the can, and the flame will not burn the skin. For beginners, you can also stick a layer of wet paper or apply some water to absorb heat, which can protect your skin.

(2) Flash fire method: Use No.7 ~ No.8 thick iron wire, one end of which is wound with asbestos rope or wire tape, and make alcohol hold.

Before use, dip the alcohol stick in 95% alcohol, light it with an alcohol lamp or candle, and flash one end of the alcohol stick to the bottom of the can with flame, and then take it out quickly. Immediately pull cupping at the right place. At this time, the cans have become negative pressure and can be sucked.

The advantages of flash fire method are: when the alcohol stick is flashed, the flame has left the cupping, and there is no fire in the cupping, which can avoid scalding and is superior to the throwing fire method.

(3) Dripping method: Drop 1 ~ 2 drops of alcohol into the middle of the inner wall of the jar, rotate the jar for a circle to make the alcohol adhere to the inner wall of the jar evenly (don't touch the jar mouth), then ignite the alcohol with a match, put down the jar mouth and tap the jar mouth quickly at the selected position.

(4) Cotton sticking method: Take a small piece of absorbent cotton about 0.5 cm square, dip it in alcohol thinly, stick it to the middle section of the tank wall, light it with a match, and immediately buckle the tank at the selected position.

(5) Arson method: Prepare a wood block with a diameter of 2-3cm, which is not easy to burn and transfer heat, put it on the part to be pulled out, put a small piece of alcohol cotton ball on it, light the cotton ball, fasten the jar immediately, and suck it immediately, which can produce strong suction.

2. Water tank method: bamboo tanks are generally used. First, put the jar into the pot and add water to boil it. When in use, the jar is poured out, clamped out with tweezers, and the water is poured out, or the jar mouth is sealed with a folded towel, heated and pressed on the skin, and then sucked out.

3. Air extraction method: firstly, fix the air extraction tank made of waste bottles such as penicillin and streptomycin at the position where the cup needs to be sucked, and use a syringe to extract air from the rubber stopper to generate negative pressure, which can be sucked. Or put an air pump on the piston of a plastic cup or can to suck air.

Second, the application of various cupping methods:

1, single pot: used for small lesions or tender points. According to the size of the lesion or the degree of tenderness, cupping with appropriate caliber can be selected. For example, cupping at acupoints in stomach diseases; Supraspinal tendinitis such as cupping at acromion point.

2, multi-tank: used for diseases with a wide range of lesions. According to the anatomical shape of the lesion, several or even several can be pulled as appropriate. For example, when a muscle bundle is strained, a plurality of cupping cups can be sucked in rows according to the position of the muscle bundle, which is called "cupping method". When treating congestion of some internal organs or organs, several cans can be sucked and pulled in parallel at the corresponding body surface according to the anatomical parts of internal organs.

3. Flash can: After the can is pulled out, pull it out immediately and suck it out repeatedly until the skin is red. Mostly used for deficiency syndrome of local skin numbness or hypofunction.

4. Leave the can: after cupping, leave it for a certain time, usually 5- 15 minutes. If the cans are large and have strong absorption and pull-out, the time away from the cans should be appropriately reduced, and it should not be too long in summer and when the skin is thin, so as not to damage the skin.

5, pushing cans: also known as walking cans, generally used in large areas and muscle-rich parts, such as waist, thighs and other parts. Be sure to choose large-caliber cans, and the opening of cans should be smooth. It is best to use a glass jar. First, apply some grease to the mouth of the can. After sucking the can, hold the bottom of the can with your hands and tilt it slightly, that is, the back half is slightly raised and slowly pushed forward to make it move up and down or left and right on the skin surface.

six

Medicine pot: There are two common types:

(1) Pot boiling: put the prepared medicine in a cloth bag, tie the cloth bag tightly, put it in clear water and boil it to a proper concentration, then put the bamboo pot in the medicine juice and cook it for 15 minutes. When in use, it is sucked and pulled at the required part according to the basin method, which is mostly used for rheumatism and other diseases.

Common drug prescriptions: Herba Ephedrae, Folium Artemisiae Argyi, Notopterygii Rhizoma, Radix Angelicae Pubescentis, Radix Saposhnikoviae, Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae, Fructus Chaenomelis, Fructus Zanthoxyli, Radix Aconiti, Flos Daturae, Herba Artemisiae Anomalae, Olibanum and Myrrha.

(2) Medicine storage tank: a certain amount of liquid medicine (about 2/3- 1/2 of the tank) is stored in the medicine extraction tank in advance. Commonly used in pepper water, Zanthoxylum nitidum tincture, ginger juice, rheumatism wine, etc. Then, according to the operation method of the air extraction tank, air is extracted and absorbed on the skin. There is also a potion of 1/3- 1/2 stored in a glass jar, and then sucked and pulled on the skin by cupping. Commonly used for rheumatic pain, asthma, cough, cold, ulcer, chronic gastritis, dyspepsia, psoriasis and so on.

7. Acupuncture and cupping: First, acupuncture and moxibustion are performed in a certain position. After reaching a certain amount of stimulation, leave the needle in its original place, and then cupping with the acupoint as the center. If combined with medicine pot, it is called "acupuncture medicine pot", which is mostly used for rheumatism.

8. Pricking blood (pricking collaterals) and cupping: The effect of pricking blood can be enhanced by pricking small blood vessels by pricking blood and cupping according to the lesion size and bleeding requirements. It is suitable for various acute and chronic soft tissue injuries, neurodermatitis, skin itching, erysipelas, neurasthenia, gastrointestinal neurosis, etc.

operational approach

(1) Preparation materials: two glass cupping cups (one for standby), according to the location, choose the size, a pair of tweezers, a small bottle of 95% alcohol (big mouth), a bottle of cotton balls, a match, a new towel, a piece of soap and a washbasin.

(2) Preoperative examination: check the condition, make a clear diagnosis, and see if it meets the indications. Check the position of cupping and the patient's posture to see if it is appropriate. Check whether the tank mouth is smooth and whether there is any residual angle damage.

(3) Operation method: firstly, scrub the cupping area with a clean towel, dip it in hot water, then use tweezers to slightly dip the cotton ball in alcohol to tighten it, light the match, flash it into the glass cupping by door fire, and quickly buckle the cupping on the skin.

(4) Storage time: In the past, the storage time was relatively long, ranging from 10 minutes to more than 30 minutes. This kind of long-term storage is easy to make local black and purple, and the blood stasis is serious, which is difficult to absorb. So now the storage time is generally short. According to the blood oozing from the capillaries on the body surface, it may be considered that it is more appropriate to change from 3 minutes to 6 minutes.

Practice has proved that it is more beneficial to leave the tank for a short time than for a long time. Severe blood stasis is reduced to mild oozing or congestion, which is convenient for absorption and enhances disease resistance; Leave no stain; Prevent excessive inhalation, causing blisters and infections; Although the time is short, the curative effect is high.

(5) Lifting the jar: gently press the jar with the left hand and gently press the middle finger with the right hand to tilt the muscles of the other jar mouth, so that the jar mouth leaks out of the gap and penetrates into the air, the suction disappears, and the jar naturally falls off.

(6) Firepower: We should also master the firepower. More alcohol, greater firepower and greater suction; Less alcohol, less firepower and less suction. There is also a kind of jar, which has a great suction when struck quickly; If you knock slowly, the suction will be small. These can be mastered temporarily.

(7) interval time; It can be decided according to the condition. Generally speaking, chronic diseases or remission can be done every other day. It is not an exaggeration to lie down once, twice or even three times a day for acute diseases, such as high fever, acute rheumatoid disease and acute gastroenteritis, but the time away from the cylinder should not be too long.

(8) course of treatment. Generally, 12 times is a course of treatment, and several courses can be continued if the condition requires.

(9) Location: Cupping can be used on the shoulder, chest, back, waist, hip, costal fossa, cervical vertebra, ankle, gastrocnemius and other parts with rich muscles and few blood vessels. In addition, according to the condition and pain range, L ~ 2 cupping cups, or 4 ~ 6 even 10 glass cupping cups can be pulled out.

Matters needing attention

(1) The body position should be appropriate. If there are wrinkles, slack, uneven scars, and the body position moves, cupping is easy to fall off. (2) According to different parts, select cans with appropriate size. When throwing fire and cupping, the flame must be strong and fast, so that the cupping mouth can be tilted upward to avoid the fire source falling and scalding the skin. When using flash fire method, cotton swabs should not be dipped in too much alcohol to prevent alcohol from dripping and burning the skin. When sticking cotton, we should prevent burning cotton from falling off. When using the fire rack method, the cover should be accurate and don't knock over the burning fire rack. When using the boiling water tank, the hot water in the tank should be poured out to avoid scalding the patient's skin. (3) When applying needle cupping, it is necessary to prevent muscle contraction and needle bending, and avoid knocking the needle into the depths, which is conducive to injury. Acupoints on the chest and back should be used with caution. (4) In the application of pricking blood and cupping, the area of skin bleeding caused by acupuncture should be equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of cupping. The amount of bleeding should be appropriate, and the total amount of each adult should not exceed 10ml. (5) When using multiple cans, the distance of cupping arrangement should not be too close, otherwise it will cause pain due to cupping pulling the skin. At the same time, cupping should not be pulled too tightly because of mutual extrusion between cans. (6) When cupping, do not push or pull at the apophysis, so as not to damage the skin or cupping leaks and falls off. (7) When lifting cans, the technique should be gentle. Press one hand against the skin at the edge of the can to make the gas leak, so that the can can be taken down, and it is not allowed to pull or rotate. (8) If there is bleeding in the pinhole after cupping, dry cotton balls can be used to wipe it clean. Generally, redness or cyanosis (congestion) occurs locally, which is a normal phenomenon and will subside on its own. If the local blood stasis is serious, it is not appropriate to pull it out on the spot. If the cans are left for too long, the skin will blister, and the small ones do not need to be treated to prevent infection caused by chafing; The big one can be punctured with a needle, and the liquid in the bubble will flow out, coated with gentian violet liquid and covered with disinfectant dressing to prevent infection.

How to avoid cupping burn

Some people say: "As long as cupping is frequent, it is inevitable that you will not be burned". Is this correct? Wrong. Because clinical practice tells us; The main cause of cupping scald is that alcohol is used too much, dripping on the skin in the jar and burning bleeding bubbles; When the flame heats the jar mouth, it is easy to burn out the circle at the jar mouth. Leave the cans for too long, and it is easy to get white blisters. The first two are real burns, and the last one is not. So can you avoid cupping burns? Yes, absolutely, but the following measures must be taken:

(1) Water coating: In the cupping area, some water (warm water in winter) should be coated in advance. Applying water can cool the local temperature, protect the skin and avoid burns;

(2) Flame facing the bottom of the tank: the flame of alcohol cotton ball must face the bottom of the tank, and the mouth of the tank must not be scalded, and the mouth of the tank must not be stained with alcohol;

(3) Short storage time: shorten the storage time, not too long. If it is too long, it is easy to absorb blisters. Generally, it takes 3 ~ 5 minutes, and no more than 10 minute.

Indications, main points and contraindications

(1) indications and main acupoints:

[Indications of respiratory system]

Acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, pleurisy. Key points: rafters, air doors, Shu Fei and false windows.

[Indications of digestive system]

Acute and chronic gastritis, gastric neuralgia, dyspepsia, hyperacidity. Key points: Ganshu, Pishu, Shu Wei, Shu Ge, Zhangmen.

Acute and chronic enteritis. Main attractions: Pishu, Shu Wei, E.coli and Shu Tian.

[Indications of circulatory system]

High blood pressure. Main acupoints: Ganshu, Danshu, Pishu, Shenshu, Weizhong, Chengshan and Zusanli. Focus on the back and lower limbs.

Arrhythmia. Main acupoints: Xinshu, Shenshu, Shu Ge and Pishu.

Insufficient blood supply to the heart. Key points: Mind, Shu Ge, Senior One, Zhangmen.

[Indication of motor system]

Cervical joint pain' shoulder and scapula pain, elbow pain. Essentials: Cupping around tenderness points and joints.

Back pain, lumbago, sacral pain, hip pain. Essentials: Cupping according to the painful parts and joints.

Knee pain, bare pain, heel pain. Main points: Cupping with small glass at the painful part and around its joints.

[Indications for nervous system]

Neuropathic headache, occipital neuralgia. Key points: Dazhui, Dazhui, Tianzhu (with pad) and Zhiyang point.

Intercostal neuralgia. Essentials: Cupping the head, the strange door and the intercostal pain area.

Sciatic neuralgia. Key points: rank edge, cyclic jump, center.

Nerve paralysis of limbs caused by rheumatic strain. Key points; Dazhui, Mangosteen, Shenshu, Shi Feng and their paralyzed parts.

Neck muscle spasm. Essentials: Shoulder well, Dazhui, Shoulder book and body column.

Gastrocnemius spasm. Main acupoints: Weizhong, Chengshan and gastrocnemius of the affected side.

Facial nerve spasm. Key points: Shimonoseki, Tang Yin and Kouche. Small cans can only be kept for 6 seconds, and then can be pulled continuously 10 to 20 times.

Diaphragm spasm. Main attractions: Shu Ge and Jingmen.

[Gynecological indications]

Dysmenorrhea. Key points: Guan Yuan, Xue Hai and Oichi.

Main points of amenorrhea: Guanyuan and Shenshu.

Hypermenorrhea. Key points: Guanyuan, uterus.

Main points of leucorrhea: Guanyuan, uterus and Sanyinjiao.

Pelvic inflammation. Key points: Finger editing, Shu Yao and Guan Yuan.

[Indications of surgical pain]

Main points of furuncle: body column, furuncle part and small basin surface pad pulling.

Multiple folliculitis. Key points: Zhiyang and local small pot cushion pull.

Ulcer of lower extremity. Key points: local small pot cushion pull.

Acute mastitis. Key points; After hot pressing with local warm water and fresh towel, pull it out with medium or large cupping, which can be dialed continuously for 5 ~ 6 times.

(2) Contraindications of cupping

High fever, convulsions, spasms, etc. ; Skin allergy or ulcer injury; Thin muscles or uneven bones and hairy parts are not suitable for application; Pregnant women should use lumbosacral and abdomen with caution.