Fire Cupping

December 14, 2007 – 12:37 pm

Fire cupping is a 2,500-year-old method to increase the circulation of Qi and blood. Practitioners use fire cupping to treat breathing difficulties such as asthma, cough, and chest tightness. Fire cupping is also used to treat cold and flu symptoms, gastrointestinal difficulties, menstrual pain, neck and shoulder pain, low back pain, and sciatica.Evolving from the use of horns and bamboo cups, the technique currently uses glass jars or magnetic suction devices.

When using the glass jar fire cupping technique, liniment (an oil-type substance) is put onto the area of the skin to be treated. Using long tongs, a practitioner takes a cotton ball that has been soaked in 91% alcohol and lights it on fire. The cotton ball is moved inside the jar to remove the oxygen, then the fire is taken out and the cup is placed on the client’s skin where the liniment is applied. A vacuum is created and the skin is sucked up into the jar. The cup stays on the skin for 5-15 minutes, though the practitioner may slide the cups along the skin to increase circulation in the surrounding areas. The skin will become dark red or purple in color as blood is moved to the area of the suction. The client may have circular bruises that last for several days. Symptoms will be reduced or alleviated after treatment.

Many clients enjoy being fire cupped. It is neither painful nor dangerous. The sensation may feel like your skin is being pulled tightly and you can feel the suction. The jar will feel warm when it contacts the skin, when the jar is slid over your skin it may be sensitive but not uncomfortable. One should keep the treated area covered and warm (for example wear a scarf if your neck was treated) and avoid exposure to wind and cold after treatment. Fire cupping should only be done by a trained professional.