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Cupping dates back to as early as 281 A.D. when the famous
Taoist alchemist and herbalist, Ge Hong, described the method in his book
A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies. Cupping originally
used hollowed animal horns to drain toxins out of snakebites and skin
lesions. The technique was referred to as jiaofa, or the horn
technique. Over time, the horns evolved into bamboo cups which were
eventually replaced by glass cups. During the Tang Dynasty, cupping
was prescribed for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. During the
Qing Dynasty, cups made out of bamboo or pottery were used to alleviate
headache, cold, and flu-like symptoms. In order to heat the bamboo
cups, they were boiled in herbal water and then applied to the skin.
The Chinese also expanded the use of cupping to be used during surgery to
divert blood flow from the surgery site.
Egyptians and early Greeks also discovered the therapeutic use
of cupping. The Egyptians produced a text on ancient medicine
that describes the use of cupping to treat fever, pain, vertigo,
menstruation imbalances, weakened appetite, and to enhance the healing
process. From the Egyptians, cupping spread to the Greeks, and
eventually all over Europe and to the Americas. Cupping was widely
used in practice by European and American Doctors during the late 1800's.
Research papers written during the 19th century confirmed the clinical
efficacy of cupping, and it became a standard of care at most Chinese
hospitals. Eventually breast cupping came about for inflamed breasts
and lactation dysfunctions, which now a days has evolved into the breast
pump.
The modern name for cupping is baguanfa, or suction cup
therapy. During the 20th century, new glass cups were developed which
aided in the practice greatly since the traditional pottery cups broke very
easily and the bamboo cups would deteriorate with repeated heating.
Furthermore, it enabled one to see the skin during the treatment to properly
evaluate the response. During the 1930's another method of suction was
developed in which a valve was constructed at the top of the jar and a small
hand-operated pump was attached so that the practitioner could suction out
air from the cup without the use of fire. Medical supply companies
introduced these new cupping sets which were supplied into the late 1940's.
Over time, though, the use of cupping gradually decreased throughout the
20th century as new technology brought about the use of more sophisticated
machines for the treatment of disease.
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