Cupping techniques (including medicinal cupping, needle cupping, and puncture cupping) and clinical contraindications for cupping for weight loss.
Cupping Therapy for Weight Loss. Method 1: [Main Acupoints] Shenshu (BL23), Pishu (BL20), Tianshu (ST25). [Additional Acupoints] For spleen and stomach deficiency, add Weishu (BL21), Zhongwan (CV12), Jianli (CV11); for insufficient true qi, add Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3), Mingmen (GV4). [Operation Method] Use simple cupping or medicated cupping. The prescription is: 30g each of hawthorn and alisma, 10g of euphorbia kansui, and 15g each of atractylodes macrocephala and cinnamon twig. Decocted in water to make a 30% solution, the liquid is used to boil bamboo cups or medicated cups, left on for 15-20 minutes, once a day, 10 times as one course of treatment.
After each course of treatment, take a 5-day break before starting the second course, continuing until the patient's weight has basically returned to normal. Then, switch to one course of treatment per month for one year to consolidate the therapeutic effect. Method Two: [Main Acupoints] Spleen Shu, Stomach Shu, Zusanli, Heart Shu. [Additional Acupoints] For both spleen and stomach excess, add Quchi and Sanyinjiao; for both spleen and stomach deficiency, add Kidney Shu, Qihai, and Zhongwan; for insufficient true essence, add Mingmen, Sanyinjiao, and Guanyuan. [Operation Method] Using a medicinal pot, grind the diuretic, phlegm-resolving, blood-activating, and spleen-regulating Chinese herbs (equal parts of white mustard seed, Euphorbia kansui, Poria cocos, Asarum heterotropoides, Salvia miltiorrhiza, dried ginger, and Atractylodes macrocephala) into a fine powder.
Mix water to make a medicinal paste, apply it to acupoints, and apply cupping using the fire method for 5 minutes. Remove the cups, but leave the paste in place for 6-8 hours. Alternate between acupoints on both sides, once every other day, for 10 treatments as one course. The interval between courses should be 3-5 days. For areas with significant fat accumulation, use a massage stick to roll and knead 40-50 times, then apply cupping for 20 minutes. This is a needle-retaining cupping weight loss method. Method 1: [Acupoints] Divide into 2 groups: Group 1: Zhongwan, Tianshu, Guanyuan, Zusanli; Group 2: Daheng, Qihai, Fenglong, Sanyinjiao. [Operation Method] Use the needle-retaining cupping method.
Method 1: First, acupuncture, then cupping with needles retained for 15 minutes. Alternate between the two sets of acupoints. For those with larger thigh and hip circumferences, add Jimen and Biguan acupoints. Once daily, 10 treatments constitute one course. Method 2: [Acupoints] Guanyuan, Shuidao, Tianshu. [Procedure] Use cupping with needles retained, once every other day, 10 treatments constitute one course, with an interval of 3-5 days between courses. Method 3: [Acupoints] Tianshu, Guanyuan, Zhongwan, Zusanli. [Procedure] Use simple cupping or cupping with needles retained, retaining the cups for 20 minutes, once every other day, 10 treatments constitute one course.
Method Four: [Main Acupoints]Spleen Shu (BL20), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Zusanli (ST36). [Additional Acupoints]First treatment: Guanyuan (CV4), Shuidao (ST28); Second treatment: Zhongji (CV3), Tianshu (ST25). Alternate between these. [Procedure]Use simple cupping or needle-retained cupping, leaving the cups on for 20 minutes, once daily or every other day, 10 treatments constitute one course. Cupping for Weight Loss. [Main Acupoints]Zhongwan (CV12), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Neiguan (PC6), Dazhui (GV14). [Additional Acupoints]Combined with the Jiaji points on both sides of the spine, the upper and lower abdomen, and the fat accumulation areas on the anterolateral aspect of the lower legs. [Procedure]Use cupping.
The practitioner uses a plum blossom needle to tap the aforementioned areas or acupoints on the patient, then applies sliding cupping or flash cupping, alternating between bilateral acupoints, once daily, until slight local bleeding occurs. Ten treatments constitute one course, with a 3-5 day interval between courses. Precautions for cupping for weight loss: 1. Choose an appropriate body position and areas with abundant muscle for cupping. Improper positioning, movement, uneven bone surfaces, or areas with abundant hair can easily cause the cups to fall off, making these unsuitable. 2. Select appropriately sized cups according to the size of the area to be treated.
3. When using fire cupping, care must be taken to avoid burns or scalds to the skin. If burns occur or blisters form due to prolonged cupping, small blisters only need to be covered with sterile gauze to prevent them from breaking; larger blisters should be drained with a sterile needle, then treated with burn ointment, or covered with sterile gauze to prevent infection. 4. Cupping is not suitable for skin with allergies, ulcers, edema, or areas where the heart or major blood vessels are located.