Sliding Cupping: Clinical Application

JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE NUMBER 67 OCTOBER 2001

CLINICAL APPLICATION

SLIDING CUPPING
by Zhang Hong

Concept channels. It is therefore known as

Sliding cupping is a form of “the sea of the yang channels”
cupping therapy in which the and “the viceroy of all the yang
local area of pain, or the affected channels”. Sliding cupping
channels and points, are lubri- therapy along the Governing ves-
cated and the cup is applied and sel on the back can therefore
then slid up and down until the modulate the qi of all the yang
skin becomes hyperaemic. channels and transport clear qi to
the brain.
Principle
Many diseases are caused by Method of operation
imbalance of yin and yang and The patient adopts a prone posi-
stagnation of qi and blood. Sliding tion or sits with their back fully
cupping therapy is able not only exposed. Lubricant is applied to
to affect specific acupuncture the back, then a suitably-sized cup
points but also channel pathways. with a smooth edge is applied to
It increases both the size of the Cupping from Kalender Deutsch 1483 the patient’s back and slid to and
area treated, as well as the fro repeatedly along the Bladder
potential therapeutic efficacy of a single cup. It can regulate channel and Governing vessel until the skin becomes con-
yin and yang, dredge the channels, promote the flow of qi gested with a purplish colour. Generally, the treatment is
and blood, eliminate the pathogenic qi and harmonise the given once every 3 to 5 days. The speed and suction force of
function of the zangfu. the sliding cupping should be varied according to the
Modern medicine holds that in the course of metabolism nature of the disease and the condition of the patient, i.e.
the body constantly eliminates waste. If metabolites are not less intense when treating children, the elderly, weak pa-
eliminated in time, they will become pathogenic factors. tients and those with thin skin and weak endurance, and
Sliding cupping therapy can speed blood circulation, accel- stronger if the patient has a better condition and stronger
erate metabolism and improve the permeability of the skin, endurance.
speeding elimination of wastes and toxins.
Sliding cupping therapy possesses the dual effects of Indications
cupping and massage and is wide in its range of applica-
tion, for example, influenza due to both wind-cold and Respiratory system diseases
wind-heat evil can be drawn out. Sliding cupping can treat influenza, fever and cough etc.
The Bladder channel belongs to taiyang which dominates Whilst treating the entire Bladder channel and Governing
the surface of the entire body. It runs through the body from vessel on the back, special attention should be given to
the head to the foot, whilst the channel qi of the five zang points such as Dazhui DU-14, Dingchuan (M-BW-1),
and six fu are all transmitted to the back-shu points of the Fengmen BL-12, Feishu BL-13 and Shenshu BL-23. Sliding
Bladder channel. Sliding cupping therapy along the Blad- cupping is suitable for diseases due to both wind-cold and
der channel of the back can therefore regulate the channel wind-heat.
qi of the five zang and six fu, and adjust the qi and blood of Case example
the whole body. A 32 year-old woman suffered from low fever for 3 months.
The Governing vessel (Du Mai) runs along the midline of She was hospitalised for one month and had comprehen-
the back and ascends to enter the brain. “Du” means vice- sive examinations without any definite diagnosis. After
roy, and the Governing vessel (where all the yang channels receiving the above treatment 3 times, her temperature was
meet), has the function of governing the qi of all the yang restored to normal.
38
JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE NUMBER 67 OCTOBER 2001
Digestive system diseases restore balance of yin and yang. Treatment should espe-
Due to its regulating function on the qi of the Spleen, cially focus on points such as Feishu BL-13, Ganshu BL-18,
Stomach, Liver and Gall Bladder, this method can treat such Pishu BL-20 and Weishu BL-21.
disorders as chronic gastritis, gastrointestinal diseases, in- Case example
digestion in children, infantile malnutrition etc. Treatment A 38 year-old man suffered from sudden deafness and
should especially focus on points such as Pishu BL-20, tinnitus as a result an acute bout of anger. After a single
Weishu BL-21 and Dachangshu BL-25. treatment his symptoms were markedly reduced, and after
Case example two treatments he recovered entirely.
A 7 year-old boy suffered from emaciation of the limbs,
abdominal distention, anorexia, pale complexion and mal- Lumbar pain
nutrition with chronic indigestion due to deficiency of the Lumbar pain is mostly caused by invasion of wind-cold-
Spleen and Stomach. After five treatments using the above damp or strain. This therapy can be used to eliminate
method, his appetite increased, his complexion was ruddy, pathogens and regulate the channels. Treatment should
his limbs gradually thickened, his abdomen gradually mostly focus on the local area.
shrank and his body weight increased. After 3 months, the Case example
patient's health was restored to normal. A 42-year-old woman had suffered acute back pain for one
week. She was unable to work and had to rest at home. Her
Diseases of the five sense organs disease was diagnosed as attack of wind-cold whilst sleep-
This method can treat facial acne, congestion, swelling and ing. After one treatment, her backache markedly improved
pain of the eyes, sore throat, deafness and tinnitus etc. Fire and she was able to take part in normal activity. After two
is a yang pathogenic factor characterised by upward move- treatments the backache had disappeared
ment, and five-sense organ diseases are mainly due to completely.
excess fire of the body, moving and burning upwards to
disturb the upper orifices. This treatment method can drain Zhang Hong works at Maina Soko Military Hospital, P.O. Box 320091,
fire from the body, dredge qi and blood in the channels, and Woodlands, Lusaka, Zambia.
of oriental medicine
39

Sliding Cupping: Clinical Application

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JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE NUMBER 67 OCTOBER 2001

Concept channels. It is therefore known as

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