The Primary Energizing Treatment consists of creating a suction for approximately 6-8 cups (or as many as fit) across the top of your back. It is best to first have your back rubbed with Olive Oil in order to make it easier to move the cups while keeping the suction in tact. These cups are in a line and are kept in place for approximately 1-3 minutes (for beginners). After a few minutes, each cup is moved straight down one cup length. Then wait another few minutes. This allows for your entire back to receive the treatment. Repeat the process until the cups from the top have gone all the way down your back. The cup in the middle should be directly over the spine. At the same time, one cup should be placed at the bottom of the spine near your tail bone. That one cup should be moved up (one cup length at a time) until it meets the other one coming down. At that time, remove the cup that was coming down your spine and let the one cup on your spine continue up until it reaches the top of your neck. The cups that had started at the top can continue to come down and stop at the bottom of your back or continue over your buttocks and down the back of your legs. A similar method down your stomach from the bottom of your rib cage is also helpful. If you have ever had a good back massage, then you know how relaxing that can be for tense muscles. One person described the feeling as the best back massage he's ever had multiplied by 5.

Description

Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine begin treatment by diagnosing a patient through interviews, close examinations of the pulse, tongue and other parts of the body, and other methods. TCM strives to balance and improve the flow of qi, or life energy, which travels throughout the body in channels called meridians. According to traditional Chinese medicine, illness is caused when qi does not move properly in the body. Acupuncturists are trained to determine where qi is stagnated, weak, or out of balance.

Acupuncturists use cupping for specific problems in the flow of qi. Cupping disperses and moves qi by exerting suction and pressure. Cupping is used when the qi is blocked at certain points, or when qi needs to be drawn to the surface of the body from deep within. For instance, cupping is used to treat lung infections and colds, because it is believed that the suction disperses and energizes the qi that has become blocked and stagnated in the lungs. Cups can also pull out "wind-cold" that in Chinese medicine is believed to cause lung infections.

Patients usually lie down for a cupping treatment. Cups are made of bamboo or strong glass. To create a vacuum, a flame from a lighter or a burning cotton ball is placed in an upside-down cup. When the oxygen in the cup is burned off, the cup is placed directly on the skin, where it is held in place by a surprisingly strong suction. Often, the skin inside the cup visibly rises. There are also cups available that use pumps instead of burning to create the proper suction. Cupping is generally a painless procedure.

More than one cup at a time may be used to cover an area thoroughly. Cups may be left in the same place for several minutes, or removed quickly and placed elsewhere. Cups are sometimes placed over acupuncture needles that have been inserted. Moving cupping may also be performed, by first rubbing the skin with a small amount of oil to allow the cups to slide around. After cupping, patients may remain lying down for several minutes. When cups are used to treat colds and lung infections, patients are advised to wrap up in blankets to stay warm after treatment. Acupuncturists may also prescribe herbal remedies, dietary changes, and other health recommendations.

Side effects

Cupping causes blood to be drawn to the surface of the skin, which can cause red marks, swelling, and bruising.If the practitioner is using cupping then this should be explained as a possible consequence of treatment