Welcome
This is an extension of the home remedies all East Asian countries and all over the world used. Having taught acupuncture and allied subjects since 1981 – this is my version of what I find most effective – always setting a person up to win first.
‘Fire ‘ cupping
What is it? A way to move what is stuck within out the surface – for the Qi to move it on
Origin – All countries – see more with all that Bruce Bentley (CLICK) has done.
Why is it? – Qi must flow – and cold and wind (predominantly) block this – leading to cold and wind stuck in the tissues – presenting in various problems – invasion of cold/wind can hit the structure (via the Wind points) – ‘Bells’ palsy’ and wry neck being classic – or can go through the 6 Divisions – and attack via the skin into the nose, down to lungs if the person’s Wei Qi is not strong enough to mount an attack. Or go through to the joints. Pain. Maybe stuck for decades. Always start with Gua Sha (CLICK) for this reason).
How do we know this must be done? – Blanching – is very obvious – also may feel cold to touch, and we can press palm in and leave a hand print.
How is It? – Always prepare the person as it is a surprise. As a weight and maybe marks left afterwards. If they are about to go to the beach/ wear a cocktail dress – maybe choose another intervention – though often this is the step after navel cupping – usually I go systemic cold prior to the local area.
What you need – Artery clamps – small. Methylated spirits. Matches. Tissues. Glass cups (prewarmed). I do not advocate the cupping suction pumps – the cups are fine and we need to have them warmed – they will lose their heat too quickly – as they are fiddly.
What it may feel like (for you) – Freaky with the fire – ensure that you have done this maybe on your leg before – so you are aware of the process – it is VERY quick. You can hone the suction by leaving a slight pause after the fire is out of the cup – and you MUST be very close to the skin to do this.
What it feels like for them? – Depending – on the amount of time between the flame out of cup and onto skin – also how long the flame was in the cup. Usually after a few minutes, they get used to. Need to leave on about 30 seconds, as it will get tighter. MUST warm them first.
When to use? – After Gua Sha only. On upper back usually – we are pulling out the Sha – usually cold in addition – so you may have begin with navel cupping. Always start with Gua Sha – as blistering is less likely. Be aware of the frailty of the person, whether they are on blood thinners and so on.
When NOT to use? – As above.
How to set it up so all win? – Always communicate what to expect, why you are doing and give checkers – so they feel the instant difference.
NOTE on the warming of the cups. DO NOT BURN THE RECIPIENT – I was severely by a student – who held the rim of the cup in the flame to warm it up – this is NOT the way – 1 – it is not long lasting heat – the pyrex cups are really thick and will not hold the heat – leading to 2 – as with me a 3rd degree burn (see this as to how to fix decades later).
Lymph drainage is also needed (CLICK) . .
And Gua Sha (CLICK) Always Gua Sha always first – less likely to blister the skin.
Taking cups off
Start to finish . .
Cups on
Cups off
Lower back cupping
Are they too tight?
In actual fixing mode – Rachel
Acute cough – intention – clear the cold – we watched her with a bare belly/kidney area a month or so before. Between getting dressed and being – the weather changed,. There was a very cold wind. I was teaching. All of we older women watched her gallivanting around outside – she was still looking stunning dressed as she was – and this is the result. (Extreme coughing in early morning – pre dawn).
WARNING – I had no artery clamps. DO NOT DO THIS – As I had been working with the right equipment for 40+ years – I used what was about . MUST have the right tools.
MUST put the used apparently ‘out’ tissue in water.
Segue into the Foundational Moves and chest/flank gouging – prickies – Huatou jiaji first (acute wind heat) – also used the Back Shu of Lung, and checked the Si 9, 11 areas . . I could have also used GB 21 – to help Qi to flow downwards . . I was being conservative as I knew that she was NOT impressed with pricklies. .
More lymph work – a lot of other things helped – this was the beginning of her session . .