Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping Therapy 3rd Edition

This new edition explores and describes techniques of cupping in the context of TCM theory. It provides a clear and detailed set of practical guidelines to applying this technique for various common conditions, and looks closely at issues of safety, expectation and theoretical principles of action. This new edition includes new scientific research on cupping therapy and the effect on the immune system as well as new material on muscular pain, stress management and cupping therapy and sports medicine and with a new website containing videos and a downloadable image bank.

Ilkay Chirali’s first experience of cupping was as a seven year old in the Cypriot village where he grew up, when his mother cupped his back to treat a cold. Over the last ten years he has taught numerous cupping workshops and has now written this textbook to further disseminate this simple, practical and effective ancient technique. The first part of the book covers the history of cupping, its benefits and effects on the skin, blood, qi, wei qi etc., its application in a wide variety of complementary therapies such as aromatherapy, massage, chiropractic and so on, how to cup, the ten methods of cupping (weak, medium, strong, moving etc.) and discussion of cupping on children and adults. Part two is devoted to the treatment of specific diseases including abdominal pain, anaemia, asthma, bedwetting, boils and carbuncles, cough, constipation, bi syndrome, varicose veins and even breast enhancement. Although the book is clearly aimed at a wide range of complementary practitioners, the treatment suggestions require a knowledge of the acupuncture points, and in some cases familiarity with and confidence in using Chinese herbs as supplementary treatments.

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements

SECTION 1 Cupping therapy
1. History of cupping
Early cupping methods
Cupping in the Western world
The decline of cupping
New interest in cupping therapy
Modern cupping methods

2. Benefits of cupping therapy
Skin
Blood
Qi
Wei Qi
Stagnation
Cupping

2. Preparing for cupping

3. Therapies that benefit from cupping
Aromatherapy Massage
Chiropractic Osteopathy
Kinesiology
Alexander Technique
Shiatsu
Reflexology
Polarity
Physiotherapy

4. The cupping procedure
Safety first Procedure

5. What to expect during and after cupping

6. Ten methods of cupping
Weak (Light) cupping (tonifying)
Medium cupping (tonifying)
Strong cupping (draining)
Moving cupping - Tui Guan Fa (draining)
Needle cupping (draining)
Moxa (Hot Needle) cupping - Ai Guan Fa (tonifying)
Empty (Flash) cupping - Shan Guan Fa (tonifying)
Full (Bleeding) cupping - Xue Guan Fa (draining)
Herb al cupping - Yao Gu an Fa (tonifying )
Water cupping - Shui Guan Fa (Even method)

7. Cupping on children

8. Cupping on adults

10. How often can cupping be applied?

SECTION 2 Treatment of common disorders

11. Cupping therapy in the treatment of common disorders
Introduction
Abdominal pain
Anaemia
Asthma
Atrophy syndrome
Back pain and sexual complaints
Bed-wetting (nocturnal enuresis)
Boil/ carbuncle
Chest pain
Common cold and influenza
Constipation
Cough
Dysmenorrhoea
Fevers
Hypertension
Muscular and joint pain ('Bi' Syndrome)
Skin complaints Stroke (Wind stroke - facial paralysis)
Tiredness
Veins (varicose/broken)

12. Notes on miscellaneous disorders
Breast enhancement
Cellulite
Conjunctivitis
Headache / migraine
Hiccups
Insomnia
Lacrimation
Mumps
Bladder prolapse
Prolapse of uterus
Spondylosis
Toothache
Torticollis

13. Precautions and contradictions

Glossary
Appendix: Acupuncture/acupressure points
Index