Cupping regulates the flow of Qi and Blood. It helps to draw out and eliminate pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold, Damp and Heat. Cupping also moves Qi and Blood and opens the pores of the skin, thus precipitating the removal of pathogens through the skin itself. In my opinion, nothing moves Qi and Blood faster than cupping. From the very start of its application one observe the blood moving in the direction of the cup. Where a patient’s energy is deficient this movement will be slow; if the energy is abundant it will be much quicker. One can actually observe this process if glass cups are used.

As discussed earlier, cupping is especially effective when the external pathogen still resides in the superficial energetic area of the body, the Defensive/Protective level (Wei Qi). Whatever the vessel used, the objective of the treatment remains the same, i. e. to remove the external pathogens from the body and restore the circulation of Qi, Blood and the Fluids, thus bringing health to the sick.

Below is a rare Japanese account on the subject of cupping therapy, taken from a Japanese cupping-set manual (no author is mentioned).

The effect of this therapy can be classified into two categories: the general (purification of blood, improvement of circulatory functions, regulation and betterment of automatic nervous system, etc.). The former effects, that is, effects upon the bodily tissues and organs, are as follows:

1. Effects upon the skin

According of one experiment on a 35-year-old male subject, fine hair on his back grew to thick hair of 1 to 1.5cm long after about 140 applications of treatment by this method. This is because the direct physical stimuli on hair roots and the expansion of blood vessels of the skin, by means of the pull of low pressure, cause an increase in blood circulation, a rise of skin temperature, the promotion of metabolism within skin tissue, better functioning of sweat and sebaceous glands and of cutaneous respiration and sufficient supply of nutrition to the-tissues. The essential point of ‘cupping therapy’ is not only to withdraw stagnant old blood within the skin but also to remove poisonous substances from the surface of the skin. This is why, when a doctor continues this therapy on a patient with his bare hands, they become yellowy. It accelerates secretion of salts and sebaceous matter and the excretion of water. Another important point is that it strengthens the renewing power of the skin and its resistance to various harmful conditions.

2. Effects upon muscles

The pull of low pressure ‘cupping therapy ’, the functioning of blood vessels within the muscles is activated in response to the stimulation of the subcutaneous capillary vessels. Thus the expansion of the blood vessels in the muscles facilitates the flow of blood and has a remarkable effect on a stiff shoulder, for example, removing congested blood. Moreover, this facilitates the flow of lymph. After the ‘cupping therapy ’, the skin wills temperature and muscles by the increase of the blood flow.

3. Effect upon joints

Chronic joint rheumatism is one of the conditions for which ‘cupping therapy ’is effective. In this case the treatment is concentrated on the area of the joints concerned. When the condition is mild, an almost complete cure is possible, and this results from the better flow of blood within the joint, the activity and secretion of synovial fluids. In case of muscular spasms around the joints, they can be removed.

4. Effect upon the digestive organs

Most patients feel hungry after the Cupping therapy on the stomach region. As the digestive organs, especially Spleen and Stomach, looked upon as the ‘engine’ of the human body are regarded as the most important; and the treatment of the Middle Jiao is considered equally important. In other word, as the natural healing power of the body derives its energies mainly from the digestive organs, a great emphasis is laid on the treatment of the stomach, spleen and intestines. The pulling power of low pressure upon the belly stimulates the inside of the organs, their peristaltic movement and secretion of digestive fluids, and strengthens thereby the power of digestion and absorption of nourishment as well as the power of secretion. Therefore, this therapy has remarkable effects upon chronic gastroenteretic disorders and the constipation as a whole. These organs are affected favourably even during the treatment of the back by way of the stimulation of the spinal nerves and the automatic nerves. Besides these the therapy strengthens the muscles of the respiratory organs.

5. Effects on nervous system

Cupping therapy stimulates the sensory nerves of the skin. As demonstrated in a clinical experiment conducted at Kobe University, the inhibitory effects on hypersensitive pain are not limited to the area of direct treatment, but also to the areas the relevant nerves are controlling. Treatment on the back is mainly directed to the central line (spinal nerves and parasympathetic nerves) and the sympathetic nerves beside it. The stimulation of there has, it can be said, a good influence not only on the automatic nervous system itself but also on various organs under its control. Cupping therapy is, like massage, effective against the so-called syndrome of general malaise, such as chronic headaches, dizziness, languor, stiff shoulders fatigue, etc. These are said to derive from anxiety, worry and bodily pain. It is also effective against endogenous chronic diseases such as high blood pressure neuralgia and rheumatism. During treatment with this therapy on the back or the loins, for example, some middle-aged or elderly patients fall asleep, snoring loudly. This clearly shows one of the effects upon the nervous system. The mechanism of its effectiveness will be clarified some day. Thus the general and localized effects of this therapy strengthen the healing power against diseases and, together with a healthy diet and psychotherapy.