Cupping

This ancient technique was once referred to as ‘horn therapy’ in China as cattle horns were placed on the skin directly after a flame was inserted inside the horn to get rid of the air. This created a vacuum within the horn which was used to extract pus or blood from boils.

These days cups used in the clinic are made from glass or plastic. They are mostly used to promote blood and qì flow, clearing areas which may have become congested, and to help remove what Chinese medicine terms as pathogenic factors – wind, cold, damp and heat, which are causing disease.

Once the cups have been applied to the skin, they may be left in situ for approximately 10-20 minutes, or they may be moved over the skin by the practitioner. A pulling sensation is to be expected, but not pain.