Cupping for dispelling cold in autumn is not suitable for everyone
After the Start of Autumn, the weather is no longer as hot as before, but most offices still insist on using air conditioning. For office workers who spend long hours indoors, this period is most prone to symptoms like local muscle soreness or lower back pain. This is actually caused by the invasion of cold into the body, and cupping is the most effective way to dispel this cold. However, cupping is by no means suitable for everyone to dispel cold.
It is more suitable for people with a strong physique
Excessive exposure to air conditioning can lead to severe internal cold and dampness. In such cases, cupping can be performed, but the frequency should be determined by an individual's physical strength. Frequent cupping can be harmful to the body.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, cupping is a method of "purging" or "draining." Excessive purging can damage the skin, muscles, and the body's vital energy. "Some people feel comfortable after cupping and keep doing it frequently. They believe it's very effective when they see a lot of dark purple bruises on their body. However, this is another form of bleeding, and doing it long-term can actually make the body weaker," explains Director Wang Zhuxing. Cupping is actually more suitable for people with a strong physique. Those who are weak or have a deficiency of yang energy should avoid it. If muscle soreness has persisted for a long time or has just appeared, an occasional session is acceptable. Even for a person in good health, two or three sessions are enough; absolutely no more should be done.
Bruising does not necessarily indicate the presence of cold and dampness
Many people mistakenly believe that muscle stiffness and limb soreness are caused by severe cold and dampness. However, Director Wang Zhuxing reminds us that one cannot judge for oneself whether there is cold and dampness in the body; it can only be determined by a professional TCM practitioner's pulse diagnosis. If there is no cold and dampness in the body and cupping is performed, although one may feel comfortable at first, repeated sessions can easily lead to recurrent colds and worsen the internal cold and dampness. A purple-red bruise only indicates that the body has a "lesion" or "focus." Besides the possibility of cold and dampness, it can also appear in people with weak gastrointestinal function, poor lung health, weak heart function, or poor liver function.
Massage is better for muscle soreness and stiffness
Muscle stiffness and general body aches are the most common reasons people seek cupping. In fact, in such cases, massage is a safer option. This full-body relaxation technique can not only effectively relieve physical discomfort but is also gentler. For office workers, factors like prolonged sitting, lack of exercise, stress, and high pressure can lead to a weakened immune system and fatigue. Massage is a more suitable and scientific approach for them.