? Common Cupping and Its Characteristics

There are many kinds of pots and pans used, which are generally divided into two categories according to the clinical use: traditional pots and pans and new pots and pans.

Traditional pots are named after the materials used, including animal horn pot, bamboo pot, ceramic pot, glass pot, rubber pot, plastic pot, gas extractor and metal pot. The materials are animal horn (such as ox horn), bamboo, mud, glass, rubber, plastic and metal (such as iron, aluminum and copper). At present, bamboo pots, pottery pots and glass pots are still widely used in private and grass-roots medical units, and a few people in remote mountainous areas still use animal horn pots; Metal cans have been eliminated because of their fast heat conduction and heavy weight.

The new type of pot is divided into electric heating pot, magnetic therapy pot, infrared pot, ultraviolet pot, laser pot, ion infiltration pot and so on. However, these pots are limited to a few medical departments because of their high cost and complicated use, and have not been fully popularized.

(1) Horn jar: made of horns of cattle, sheep, etc. Its top is ground into a hole. Used to inhale exhaust gas. At present, there is still the habit of cupping with horns in remote areas of China.

(2) Bamboo cans: Different exhaust methods lead to different materials selection and manufacture. Because bamboo cupping is exhausted by fire, we should choose solid and mature old bamboo to make it. Mature bamboo has a solid texture and can withstand fire without deformation or air leakage. Bamboo water tank, because it needs to be boiled with water or liquid medicine to discharge steam, should be made of immature but tender bamboo with solid texture. The advantages of bamboo cans are easy to obtain materials, simple to make, light and durable, easy to carry, economical and not easy to break. The disadvantage is that it is easy to leak and opaque, and it is impossible to observe the changes of skin in the cylinder.

(3) Ceramic pot: made of clay, flat bottom, smooth inside and outside, and appropriate thickness. This pot is suitable for discharging fire.

(4) Glass jar: made of heat-resistant glass, with small cavity and slightly protruding edge. According to the diameter of the jar mouth and the size of the cavity, it can be divided into three types: large, medium and small, which are mostly used in the method of expelling fire, especially for cupping and cupping after acupuncture. Its advantages are beautiful appearance, clear and transparent, convenient to observe the changes of skin outside the jar during cupping, so as to master the cupping time, and it is the most widely used cupping tool at present; Disadvantages are fast heat conduction, easy to burn and easy to break.

(5) Rubber tank: made of rubber with good elasticity. The caliber is small enough to be used for auricular points and large enough to cover the whole human body. Its shape changes according to clinical needs. Used for air extraction and exhaust. Has that advantage of convenient disinfection and no damage, and is suitable for cupping ear, nose, eyes, scalp, wrists, ankles and slightly uneven special part; The disadvantage is that the price is high and it is impossible to observe the changes of skin in the jar.

(6) Plastic tank: made of heat-resistant plastic. Its specifications and models are similar to those of glass jars. The advantages are not easy to damage and easy to carry; The disadvantage is that it is impossible to observe the changes in the tank and it is easy to age and deform.

(7) Gas extraction tank: made of plexiglass or transparent engineering plastic and controlled by the piston at the top of the tank. The invention has the advantages of no fire, no scald, safety and reliability, and controllable pumping capacity and suction; Automatic deflation and cupping are painless; The tank body is transparent, which is convenient for observing the skin congestion at the suction and drawing parts and mastering the cupping time. Gas cylinder is a breakthrough in the improvement of traditional cans, which has been widely used by clinicians at present, opening up broad prospects for the popularization of families and individuals.

(8) Metal cans: made of copper or iron, aluminum, stainless steel and other metal materials. Specifications and model requirements are generally similar to those of ceramic cans and glass cans. Exhaust method for fire fighting. Its advantages are convenient disinfection and no damage; The disadvantages are high manufacturing cost, fast heat transfer, easy to burn the skin, and it is impossible to observe the changes of the skin at the cupping site.

In addition, in case of no special jar or sudden emergency, ready-made substitute jars can be used for cupping treatment, such as tea cups, wine glasses, empty medicine bottles, canned bottles and bowls. As long as the mouth is smooth, heat-resistant and can produce a certain suction force, cupping can be done.

As for the new jar developed on the basis of traditional jar and modern medical technology, its application is mostly limited to the medical department, and interested readers can refer to relevant professional books.

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