This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Cspalletta (talk | contribs) at 17:18, 20 January 2006 (re-save all changes made by myself anonymously on 1/18/06 (for credit and watchlist)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 17:18, 20 January 2006 by Cspalletta (talk | contribs) (re-save all changes made by myself anonymously on 1/18/06 (for credit and watchlist))(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Fire cupping is a method of applying acupressure by creating a vacuum next to the patient's skin.
Instead of using a vacuum pump, a vacuum is created by air (heated by fire) in a glass cup placed flush against the patient's skin. As the air cools in the cup, a vacuum forms that pulls up on the skin, stimulating the acupressure effect.
The cups are usually roughly bell shaped with a capacity of about 4 fluid ounces. Most commonly, a total of from 8 to 12 cups are applied to the subject's back in two parallel 'vertical' columns, midway between the spine and each edge of the body, spaced about 4 inches on center within each column. An interesting animation of the process may be found here (requires Shockwave Flash).
There are several ways of heating the air in the cup with fire:
1. One can swab rubbing alcohol (70% or 90%) into the bottom of a cup, then light it and place the cup immediately against the skin. By creating the seal the immediate loss of oxygen puts the fire out, preventing the person from being burned. The smaller the amount of alchohol, and the quicker the flame is extinguished by application of the cup, the better.
2. One can hold the cup inverted over a flame (e.g. a lit candle), heating the air, then place the cup immediately against the skin. Care must be taken not to heat the glass itself. Even so, the person to whom the cup is applied will feel distinctly more heat than in the previous method.
3. One can ignite a flame with a small alcohol-soaked cotton wad resting on a small pad of leather or other insulating material that rests directly on the patient's skin, then place the cup immediately over the flame, putting out the fire. The quickness with which the flame is extinguished depends on the size and shape of the cup.
The first 2 methods heat the glass to some extent and have a risk of burning the patient. The third method risks the cotton falling off the insulating pad onto the patient's skin, and leaves the pad and cotton wadding inside the adhering cup which could be considered cumbersome.
Baby oil massaged onto the skin first causes a better seal to form, making it possible to use this therapy with less heating of the cup. It is often possible to slide the adhered cup around on the skin, preserving the suction seal as it glides. Care must be taken not to move the cup over protruding moles, skin tags, scabs, etc.
The longer a cup is left on, the more of a circular mark (like a hickey) is created. The skin pores are more open, and the patient may have a feeling like sunburn. An application of about 20 minutes is average, for the back; however this varies with the individual. In no case should the cups be left in place if the subject reports noticeable discomfort.
Persons who claim this therapy to be beneficial report that it's effect is a long lasting feeling of relaxation and invigoration. It is possible that whatever relief is obtained by this procedure is derived from the same principles that are employed in shiatsu massage, where instead of the outward sucking of the cups, strong inward pressure is directed at the muscles of the dorsal ribcage and abdomen.
Fire cupping is also known as a form of fire play in the BDSM community, wherein, by definition, the cups will be deliberately heated so as to cause moderate discomfort or even pain; this usage is comparable to the dripping of hot wax from a candle unto the body of the subject, also a common form of BSDM play.
See also
External links
- Slide show demonstrating fire cupping (commercial site in German)