Acupuncture Cupping Therapy

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History of Cupping

Cupping is one of the oldest methods of traditional Chinese medicine. The earliest recorded use of cupping dates to the early fourth century, when the noted herbalist Ge Hong wrote about a form of cupping in A Handbook of Prescriptions. Later books written during the Tang and Qing dynasties described cupping in great detail; one textbook included an entire chapter on "fire jar qi", a type of cupping that could alleviate headaches, dizziness and abdominal pain.

How Cupping Works

Originally, practitioners would use hollowed-out animal horns for cups, and place them over particular points or meridians. Today, most acupuncturists use cups made of thick glass or plastic, although bamboo, iron and pottery cups are still used in other countries. Glass cups are the preferred method of delivery, because they do not break as easily as pottery or deteriorate like bamboo, and they allow the acupuncturist to see the skin and evaluate the effects of treatment.

How Cupping Can Help You

Cupping, like Moxibustion, is usually provided as a complimentary treatment to Acupuncture. Chinese herbal medicine could also be prescribed to further strengthen and compliment Cupping treatments.