My first introduction to cupping was when I was a waitress at SOBs (Sounds of Brazil) on Varrick Street in the early 90’s. One of the bouncers was enrolled in acupuncture school and he told me fantastic stories about traditional Chinese medicine…including FIRE cupping. I guess he sparked the interest that led me to Pacific College years later.
I have to admit I feel like a wizard when I cup people. I usually apply some warm oil or po som on (an aromatic massage oil) and then like the above picture, use fire to vacuum the air out of a glass cup. The cups or cups are then placed along meridians and then moved gently along the channel. This is especially great if there is a lot of stagnation in the channel causing muscle tightness, tension, stiffness and pain. It is also a fabulous treatment for the common cold, phlegm and bronchitis. People report feeling a warm, deep massage. Cupping had been used for over 3000 years by many societies including the ancient Greeks, the Egyptians, and many European cultures.
After a treatment I ask the patient to refrain from drinking alcohol or doing any extreme exercise. I also make sure that people keep the area covered for about 24 hours and avoid drafts. The cups often leave bruises or sha along the skin. The deeper the sha the more intense the stagnation. One can expect the marks to last about a week.
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