Suction Cup
Chinese Medicine Cupping
Chinese medicine uses many modalities of healing; acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and diet therapy make up the most commonly used and Chinese medicine cupping is gaining in popularity. Maybe some of you saw the photo a few years ago of Gwyneth Paltrow on the red carpet with a backless dress and cupping marks all up her spine? Sometimes it takes a little popular culture to remind us of ancient ways of healing!
The therapy of cupping has been used in China for thousands of years. At first it was applied using cattle horns or cross sections of bamboo. To create negative pressure inside the horn or bamboo these ancient ‘cups’ where boiled in water or fire was ignited to expel the air and suck the cups onto the skin. These cups were used mostly to draw out pus and blood in the treatment of boils. Cupping was originally used as an auxiliary method in Traditional Chinese surgery. Later it was found to be useful in treating other diseases and developed into a special therapeutic method.
The earliest record of cupping is in the Bo Shu (an ancient book written on silk), which was discovered in a tomb of the Han Dynasty. Several other ancient texts mention Chinese medicine cupping. Several centuries later another famous medical classic, Su Sen Liang Fang, recorded an effective cure for chronic cough and the successful treatment of poisonous snake bites using cupping therapy.
Through several thousand years of accumulated clinical experience, the clinical applications of cupping have become increasingly wide. Now Chinese medicine cupping is used to treat arthritic symptoms, asthma, the common cold, chronic cough, indigestion problems and some skin conditions.
There is a saying in China: "Acupuncture and cupping, more than half of the ills cured." Zhao Xue Ming, a doctor practicing more than 200 years ago, compiled a book entitled Ben Cong Gang Mu She Yi, in which he describes in detail the history and origin of different kinds of cupping and cup shapes, functions and applications.
In mainland China the development of cupping therapy has been rapid. In the 1950’s the clinical efficacy of cupping was confirmed by the co-research of China and acupuncturists from the former Soviet Union, and was established as an official therapeutic practice in hospitals all over China.
Today, as more people (including Gwyneth) seek alternative therapies to deal with their health problems, the use of traditional Chinese medicine, including cupping is increasing. Much of the cupping equipment and methods used today are exactly the same as they were in ancient times. Some electronic or mechanized pumps have been invented, and suction cups introduced, but to a great extent the majority of people practicing cupping today still use horn, bamboo or glass cups. One reason that cupping techniques remain the same as in ancient times is due to the fact that, with the exception of a handful of acupuncture practitioners, cupping is generally practiced in rural area where no or very little modern medicine is available.
Cupping affects the flow of Qi and blood. It helps draw out and eliminate pathogenic factors such as wind, cold, damp and heat. Cupping also moves Qi and Blood and opens the pores of the skin, thus precipitating the removal of pathogens through the skin itself.
My first experience of cupping was when I had a bad cold and my acupuncturist applied cups to my back. First my back was rubbed with fragrant oil and, as I lay face down, the cups were applied. I could feel their edges digging into my flesh and then a gentle warmth and release as my skin was pulled up and away from my body. Once the cups were firmly in place and sucking up my skin, the practitioner moved them up and down my back. (This is called walking cups.) I was left to rest with the cups on my back. Once I got up from the table I felt much improved, the heaviness in my chest was gone and I had bright purple suction cup marks along my back, not unlike Gwyneth Paltrow in the photo of her – post cupping. The purple marks didn’t hurt or bother me at all. They disappeared after a couple days along with my cold. Cupping provided Relief From my cough and effective treatment of my cold.
About the Author
Jennifer Gawne is a registered Chinese Medicine herbalist and
instructor at the Academy
of Classical Oriental Sciences, a world-class TCM
and Acupuncture School situated in the beautiful mountain
town of Nelson, British Columbia. ACOS offers 3, 4 & 5 year fully-accredited diploma programs including acquisition of the Mandarin language. To experience Chinese Medicine cupping for yourself, search out an acupuncturist in your area, or visit the ACOS Outpatient Clinic.
DIY Suction-Cup Phone Stand
 |
 25 Mini Suction Dent Cup Puller Dent Remover Quick Locking Glass Metal Lifter $5.75 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 39m Buy It Now for only: $5.75 Buy It Now |
 1999 Bandai Tarepanda Tare Panda Suction Cup Figure MOC Japan Japanese $14.99 Time Remaining: 40m |
 2 PACK SUCTION CUP GLASS CARRIER DENT PULLER REMOVER $21.90 Time Remaining: 1h 9m Buy It Now for only: $24.90 Buy It Now |
 Small Dent Puller Suction Cup Handle 2 1 4 Vacum glass lifter new $3.65 Time Remaining: 21d 15h 12m Buy It Now for only: $3.65 Buy It Now |
 SUCTION CUP COMPASS $2.99 Time Remaining: 37m Buy It Now for only: $3.50 Buy It Now |
 New 25 Mini Suction Cup Dent Remover Puller Glass Metal Lifter Locking Quick $5.98 Time Remaining: 6d 1h 22m Buy It Now for only: $5.98 Buy It Now |
 Dual Cup Suction Lifter Dents Handle Plate Glass Vacuum $14.99 Time Remaining: 1h |
 Pink Sticky Ball Game Toy with 32 Suction Cup and 2 Bat $8.24 Time Remaining: 34m |
 New 2 1 2 Small Suction Cup Body Dent Ding Puller Remover Hand Tool 25 51900 $4.25 Time Remaining: 21d 20h 37m Buy It Now for only: $4.25 Buy It Now |
 NAVIGON 2100 AUTOMOTIVE BIKE WALKING GPS WITH SUCTION CUP AND SD CARD $12.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 41m |
 Two 2 1 2 Small Suction Cup Body Dent Ding Puller Remover Hand Tool 25 51900 $6.25 Time Remaining: 21d 20h 37m Buy It Now for only: $6.25 Buy It Now |
 All in 1 Suction Cup Strawberry Toothbrush Pink Hanger $6.10 Time Remaining: 31m |
 Boon Frog Pod for bath Toys with Suction cup Mounting and Self adhesive brackets $6.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 35m |
 17 Piece Suction Cup Hook Set assorted sizes $3.78 Time Remaining: 18d 4h 22m Buy It Now for only: $3.78 Buy It Now |
 Green Kiwi Fruit Pattern Plastic Water Cup with Suction $4.88 Time Remaining: 45m |
 New 4 1 2 Large Suction Cup Body Dent Ding Puller Remover Tool CZRSC $7.99 Time Remaining: 21d 20h 40m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now |
 Office Bathroom Wall Plastic Suction Cups Metal Hooks Hanger White Fuchsia 2 Pcs $8.36 Time Remaining: 40m |
 Dent Puller Suction Cup Handle 2 1 4 Vacuum $3.69 Time Remaining: 18d 1h 16m Buy It Now for only: $3.69 Buy It Now |
 Acu Rite Suction Cup Digital Window Thermometer $12.99 Time Remaining: 1h |
 EZ Pass HolderNEWSuction Cup Mount for Electronic Toll Pass Black vehicle $5.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 30m |
 COBRA Radar Detector WINDSHIELD MOUNT + SUCTION CUPS $8.32 Time Remaining: 27d 15h 56m Buy It Now for only: $8.32 Buy It Now |
 Plush Flamingo with suction cup $4.99 Time Remaining: 57m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 4 Pc Suction Cups Wall Hooks For Any Surface Up to 6 lb $4.99 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 2m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now |
 Floxite Large 8X Magnifying Cosmetic Mirror w Precision Tweezers Suction Cup $11.99 Time Remaining: 1h 26m |
 Supermarket Clear Plastic Suction Cup Holder 2 PCS $3.48 Time Remaining: 57m |
 Escort REDLINE Windshield Mount with Four Suction Cups $6.95 Time Remaining: 15d 14h 41m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 Buy It Now |
 Garmin 010 10935 02 Suction Cup Mount $6.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1h 37m |
 Home Smart SAMURAI PRO KNIFE SHARPENER with suction cup base As Seen on TV NEW $14.98 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 32m Buy It Now for only: $14.98 Buy It Now |
 CULLMANN 1001 Touring Set with Tripod Ballhead Suction Cup Spike Clamp $125.00 Time Remaining: 1h 31m |
 DB Tech Large 8X Magnifying Cosmetic Mirror w Precision Tweezers Suction Cup $11.99 Time Remaining: 1h 28m |
 Garmin Nuvi Suction Cup Mount Bracket 1450 1450T 1490 1490T $5.99 Time Remaining: 21d 2h 5m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now |
 car compass suction cups light and power button radio shack adjustable $2.34 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 13m |
 Car Windscreen Mount Holder Suction Cup f Garmin Nuvi 255 255W 260 260W 265 265T $3.49 Time Remaining: 28d 10h 26m Buy It Now for only: $3.49 Buy It Now |
 Lot of 12 Gold Silver Tone Large Suction Cup Hooks As Seen on TV $11.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 35m |
 Tweezers + T5 T6 Cross Screwdriver + Suction Cup + Tool $3.88 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 55m Buy It Now for only: $3.88 Buy It Now |
 Light Blue Suction Cup Base 3 Compartments Toothpaste Toothbrush Holder $7.52 Time Remaining: 1h 5m |
 Soft Sticky Ball Game with 32 Suction Cup 2 Round Bats $7.02 Time Remaining: 3h |
 SCANNER ANTENNA BNC Connector Suction Cup Window Mount $6.50 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 45m Buy It Now for only: $6.50 Buy It Now |
 NEW in package TINKER BELL WINDOW DANGLER SUCTION CUP Disney WDW Tinkerbell $12.50 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 20m |
 Beltronics Windshield Mount with Suction Cups for RX65 $6.95 Time Remaining: 27d 14h 7m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 Buy It Now |
 leilani vinyl shower curtain New Jubilee brand with metal grommets suction cups $16.17 Time Remaining: 2h 59m Buy It Now for only: $22.25 Buy It Now |
 Car Interior Windscreen Rear View Mirror w Suction Cup $6.23 Time Remaining: 1h 23m |
 High Quality Garmin OEM Magellan Dashboard Dash Windshield Suction Cup Mount $4.99 Time Remaining: 15d 22h 21m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now |
 BDM Big Dog Motorcycle passenger pillion pad with suction cups $24.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4d 6h 58m |
 TomTom One V2 V3 2nd 3rd Second Third Edition Suction Cup Bracket Holder Mount $7.98 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 53m Buy It Now for only: $7.98 Buy It Now |
 Plastic Clear Yellow Suction Cup Drain Handle Toilet Plunger $8.90 Time Remaining: 1h 34m |
 Suction Cup Windscreen Rear View Mirror Blk for Vehicle $6.10 Time Remaining: 1h 27m |
 OEM Authentic Original Garmin NUVI Suction Cup Mount 200w 205w 250w 255w 265wt $5.00 Time Remaining: 3d 15h 6m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 Buy It Now |
 Pair of Woods Powr Grip Glass Suction Handles Grips 8 Made in USA Vacuum Cup $51.99 (14 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 1h 22m |
 4 1 2 Dent Puller Suction Cup Handle Lifetime Warranty $8.98 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 20m Buy It Now for only: $8.98 Buy It Now |
 Passenger Back Seat Pillion Pad Motorcycle Suction Cup Plain Plain Black Chopper $37.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 18h 4m |
 Tooluxe 4-3/4 Inch Single Handle Suction Cup for Glass, Dent List Price: Sale Price: $6.99 You save: $10.00 (59%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionSuction cup handle made with durable ABS material for strong grip. 85 lbs maximum lifting capacity, 65 lbs working load capacity. Suction pad with 4-3/4 inch in diameter. Great for lifting glass, pulling dent and other applications...  |
 InterDesign Formbu Power Lock Suction Shelf, Bamboo List Price: Sale Price: $10.94 You save: $7.05 (39%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionWho said shower accessories have to be cold and industrial to be practical? Add elegance to any bathroom with the Formbu Powerlock Suction Shelf with natural bamboo wood accents. Strong locking suction cups assure a secure fit to your wall, and suction cups pivot on hinges so caddy can be lifted to clean the wall behind... |
 Tooluxe 4-3/4 Inch Double Handle Suction Cup for Glass, Dent List Price: Sale Price: $8.99 You save: $16.00 (64%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionSuction cup handle made with durable ABS material for strong grip. 85 lbs maximum lifting capacity, 65 lbs working load capacity. Suction pad with 4-3/4 inch in diameter. Great for lifting glass, pulling dent and other applications... |
 Astro Pneumatic 9038 Suction Cup 6-Inch List Price: Sale Price: $11.13 You save: $4.05 (27%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionFeatures and Benefits: Suction pad for secure grip 100 lbs. lifting capacity Great for small dent removal Makes windshield replacement a one man job Great for handling materials like glass, sheet metal, etc. |
 Kikkerland Magnetic Soap Holder with Suction Cup Sale Price: $6.50 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionEliminate your need for a soap dish and keep your countertops clean with the Magnetic Soap Holder. Easily suctions to mirror, tile, glass or other smooth surface. To use, insert the round disc into the soap and then attach to the magnet in the holder... |
 InterDesign Formbu Power Lock Suction Towel Bar, Bamboo List Price: Sale Price: $10.61 You save: $3.38 (24%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionWho said shower accessories have to be cold and industrial to be practical? Add elegance to any bathroom with the Formbu Powerlock Suction Towel Bar with natural bamboo wood accents. Strong locking suction cups assure a secure fit to your wall, and suction cups pivot on hinges so caddy can be lifted to clean the wall behind. |
 GA-WXWM+BKT200: Vehicle Suction Cup Mount and Bracket for Garmin Nuvi 200, 200W, 250, 250W, 260, 260W, 270, 265T, 265WT List Price: Sale Price: $7.17 You save: $29.37 (80%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThis is a suction cup mount for your car. It is compatible with Nuvi 200 Series. It is easily removable so you can take it from car to car. Third party bracket included for Garmin Nuvi Nuvi 200, 200W, 250, 250W, 260, 260W, 270, 265T, 265WT |
 Stainless Steel power lock SUCTION TOWEL BAR bathroom 16" L Sale Price: $13.18 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionWish you had a place to hang one more towel. Easily add or remove this handy towel bar and get organized with this innovative power lock suction Towel Bar. Where sophistication and class meet function, this piece is the perfect addition to your bath decor... |
 3/4" Mini Suction Cups with Metal Hooks - 25 pack Sale Price: $16.60 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionMade of Crystal Clear Vinyl. Metal Hook Will Not Rust. CRL Vinyl Suction Cups contain U.V. stabilizers that protect the cup from yellowing in the sun. Cups generally adhere to smooth, non-pourus surfaces with little effort... |
 8" ADT Vacuum Suction Cup with Lexan Handle for Granite/Glass Sale Price: $45.00 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description8" diameter vacuum suction cup with tough light-weight plastic body and ABS gas barrel. Excellent for lifting and carrying stone tiles, slabs, and glass. 125 lbs maximum horizontal lifting capacity and 100 lbs maximum vertical lifting capacity... |
