INSTRUMENTS USED IN

CUPPING THERAPY
Submitted to: Sir Mudassar
Submitted by: Shehroz Mazhar
Saad Farooq
 DEFINITION
• Cupping therapy is one of the oldest and most effective method of releasing the toxins from
body tissue and organs.
• also known as vacuum cupping, hijama cupping, horn treatment etc.
 PRINCIPLE
• It is a practice in which the therapist puts special cups on the skin to create suction.
• causes the tissue beneath the cup to be drawn up and swell causing increase in blood flow to
affected area.
• Enhanced blood flow under the cups draws impurities and toxins away from the nearby
tissues and organs towards the surface for elimination.
 THE MECHANISM OF ACTION
• The local negative pressure applied to human causes specific changes in local tissue
structure, stretch to the nerve and muscle, increasing blood circulation and causing auto
hemolysis.

• Generally, cupping induced negative pressure can dilate local blood vessels to improve
microcirculation, promote capillary endothelial cells repair, accelerate granulation and the
development of new blood vessels.
 TYPES OF CUPPING THERAPY
• There are various types of cupping therapy, including:
1. Dry cupping (suction only)
2. Fire cupping (suction only)
3. Wet cupping (combination of suction and controlled medicinal bleeding)
• bleeding or wet cupping (controlled bleeding) is more common than dry cupping .
• As a general rule, wet cupping provides a more "curative treatment approach" to patient
management whereas dry cupping appeals more to a "therapeutic and relaxation approach".
 1- DRY CUPPING
• The cupping procedure commonly involves creating a small area of low air pressure next to
the skin.
• The cups can be various shapes including balls or bells, and may range in size from 1 to 3
inches (25 to 76 mm) across the opening.
• Plastic and glass are the most common materials used today, replacing the horn , bronze and
bamboo cups used in earlier times.
• The low air pressure required may be created by heating the cup or the air inside it with an
open flame, then placing it against the skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it contracts and
draws the skin slightly inside.
• More recently, vacuum can be created with a mechanical suction pump acting through a
valve located at the top of the cup
 2- FIRE CUPPING
• Fire cupping involves soaking a cotton ball in 70% alcohol. The cotton is then clamped by a
pair of forceps and lit via match or lighter. The flaming cotton ball is then placed into the
cup, quickly removed, and the cup is placed on the skin.
• By adding fire to the inside of the cup, oxygen is removed (which is replaced with an equal
volume of carbon dioxide) and a small amount of suction is created by the air cooling down
again and contracting. Massage oil may be applied to create a better seal
• in an act called "moving cupping". Dark circles may appear where the cups were placed
because of rupture of the capillaries just under the skin, but are not the same as a bruise
caused by blunt-force trauma.
 WET CUPPING (AL-HIJAMAH) OR
(MEDICINAL BLEEDING)
• While the history of wet cupping may date back thousands of years, the first documented
uses are found in the teachings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
• the practice of cupping therapy has survived in Muslim countries.
• In Finland, wet cupping has been done at least since the 15th century.
• The cupping cups were made of cattle horns with a valve mechanism in it to create an partial
vacuum by sucking the air out.
• Cupping is still used in Finland as an alternative medicine.
 PROCEDURE

1. Mild suction is created using a cup and a pump on the selected area and left for about three
minutes.
2. The cup is then removed and small superficial skin incisions are made using a cupping
scalpel.
3. A second suction is used to carefully draw out a small quantity of blood.
• The procedure has been endorsed by the British Cupping Society which aims to promote,
protect and develop professional standards in cupping therapy
 BENEFITS OF CUPPING THERAPY
The British Cupping Society says cupping therapy can treat a variety of conditions. This has not
been backed up by studies. But the organization says cupping therapy is used to treat:
1. Blood disorders such as anemia and hemophilia
2. Rheumatic diseases such as arthritis
3. Fertility and gynecological disorders
4. Skin problems such as eczema and acne
5. High blood pressure (hypertension)
6. Migraine 7. Anxiety and depression
8. Bronchial congestion caused by allergies and asthma
9. Varicose veins
 CONTINUE….
Supporters also believe that cupping therapy can reduce pain and inflammation throughout the
body. And they say it can promote mental and physical relaxation and well-being. cupping
therapy may be effective when combined with other treatments like acupuncture or
medications in treating various diseases and conditions, such as:
1. Herpes zoster
2. Acne
3. Facial paralysis
4. Cervical Osteoarthritis (Cervical Spondylosis)
 SIDE EFFECTS OF CUPPING THERAPY

Cupping is considered to be relatively safe, especially when performed by trained health

professionals. Potential side effects include:
1. Mild discomfort
2. Burns
3. Bruises
4. Skin infection
 SIDE EFFECTS OF CUPPING THERAPY

According to the British Cupping Society, cupping therapy should be avoided by the following
groups:
1. Pregnant or menstruating women
2. People with metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread from one part of the body to another)
3. People with bone fractures or muscle spasms
 SIDE EFFECTS OF CUPPING THERAPY

The organization also says cupping therapy should not be applied to sites on the body that
have:
1. A deep vein thrombosis
2. An ulcer
3. An artery
4. A pulse that can be felt
 INSTRUMENTS USED IN CUPPING THERAPY

• Flames or heating source

• Acupuncture needles
• Cups
 FLAMES OR HEATING SOURCE
• Used to heat the cup
•  hot cup is placed on skin,
• cup cools and creates a vacuum that draws the skin and muscle upward into
the cup. 
 ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES
• Used only in wet cupping
• Create a small puncture at the point for cupping to be performed.
• Help release the flow of toxins and wastes outside the body into the cup.
 CUPPING CUPS
• Modern cupping is often performed using glass cups that are rounded like balls
and open on one end.
• Cupping is most commonly done along the back, shoulders, and posterior neck,
but sometimes the forearms, hamstrings, and lower legs (calves) are done as
needed.
• You should also forego cupping if you have:
• Bleeding disorders like hemophilia.
• Blood clotting problems, such as deep vein thrombosis or history of strokes.
• Skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
• Seizures (epilepsy).