As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, so let’s show some post-cupping pictures from the CCCA here in Los Angeles for purposes of learning more about this ancient therapy. Here goes…
Clear case of lover blood stagnation in a deficiency type patient. Notice how much redder the right is from the left, in constrast to the first two images where the degree of pink is relatively uniform, with the exception of the spot beneath the shoulder. Possible insomnia and irritability.
Discussion
The photos above focus on the effects of cupping that produce a response primarily on the right side of the body. This is where the liver resides. The liver serves a vital function in hormone regulation, detoxification, and digestion. Chinese medicine maintains that a free flowing liver ensures proper nourishment of the body as a whole through the blood. Stagnation that is in the lower right is more indicative of a stagnant liver, as in pics 2 and 4. The third picture is shows greater stagnation that is indicative of muscular tension, since the redness runs up to the body of the trapezius. Picture three and two show strong stagnation below the shoulder, where liver toxins have a tendency to accumulate.
None of the signs in these photos point to severe blood stagnation. Pictures one and four suggest that cupping would only be helpful on a bi-annual basis. Pulse, body temperature, and Acu-graph readings would be more in treating these patients. The patient in the third picture could benefit from cupping every six weeks as a gauge for determining the efficacy of other interventions, while continuing to address the branch effects through cupping itself.
To schedule your own cupping session and diagnosis contact the clinic at 323.936.5152