Treating Cough in Children by Cupping on Back

41 cases of children cough have been treated by cupping on their back and it has achieved satisfactory results in the treatment. For pathogenesis, 28 cases of the 41 were due to upper respiratory tract infection, 10 to acute bronchitis, one to asthmatic trachitis, and 2 cases to pneumonia.

Treatment Methods: The children took prone position with their back exposed. A thin layer of vaseline was applied on back. Cupping was done with glistening method to Feishu (BL13) on side of back. Then the cup was moved slowly downward to Pishu (BL20) of the same side and kept in the place for five minutes. And the same procedure was applied at the other side of the back. For very young or weak patients, cupping for five minutes on bilateral BL13 only is indicated. The cupping was administered once every 3 days, 3 times of cupping was considered as one course.

Curative Effect: 35 cases were cured and 6 appeared improved. And the study also indicated that the earlier the cupping, the better the result.

Key Words: Children Cough, Cupping

Writer: Xinlian Liu
Department of Acupuncture, P.L.A. General Hospital, Beijing 100853