Treatment principles of cupping therapy 2

Meridians are the passage to connect every part of the body, points are the places where the qi of meridians and internal zang or fu organs are infused. Pathologically, external pathogenic factors can attack internal zang and fu organs through meridians, disease on one organ can affect to the other organ through meridians, so stimulation on meridians and points can have functions to promote qi and blood circulation, regulate internal zang and fu organs, balance yin and yang.

The key point of cupping treatment principles is selection of points along meridians, detail is in the following:
1. nearby cupping: cupping is used on the place where disease locates. Disease is caused by qi and blood stagnation, cupping can promote qi and blood circulation that will become free flowing, so that disease can be cured.

2. distal cupping: we choose distal points for cupping along relative meridians, selection of distal points depend on running course of meridians, for instance, toothache can be treated by Hegu (LI4) Yuan-Source Point, gastric pain by Zusanli (ST36) He-Sea Point, neck stiffness by Quchi (LI11) He-Sea Point etc.

3. specific function of points: some points have specific indications, for instance, Dazhui (GV14), LI11, Waiguan (TE5) Luo-Connecting Point the Eight Confluent Point can treat high fever; P6 can regulate cardiac beats, so cupping on this point can treat either slow cardiac beats or fast cardiac beats.

4. combination of upper with lower, left with right and interior with exterior: upper disease can be treated by lower point; left disease can be treated by points located on the right; interior has closed relation with exterior. For instance, hypertension can be treated with cupping on Fengshi (GB31).