Contraindications to Cupping
In general, Cupping is contraindicated directly on veins, arteries, nerves, skin inflammation, any skin lesion, body orifices, eyes, lymph nodes, or over varicose veins.
Absolute Contraindications:
- Cancer or in current treatment for Cancer
- Organ failure – heart, renal or hepatic
- Patients using a pacemaker
- If they have a Pacemaker
- Bleeding disorders like Hemophilia
- Active erysipelas or abscess
- Undiagnosed or suspicious lump
- Thrombophlebitis
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Stroke - unstable or evolving
Relative Contraindications
- Acute infection
- Severe chronic disease (such as heart disease)
- Pregnancy, puerperium
- Taking any kind of anti-coagulant medications
- Recent blood donation
- Active menstruation
- Active psoriasis
- Keloid Scars
- Anti-platelet Therapy
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Anemia
General Protocols
- Keep out of reach of children
- Do not cup directly over any of the following: veins, arteries, nerves, inflammation (cup above the inflammation but not below), broken or non-intact skin, body orifices, eyes, lymph nodes or varicose veins (you can cup around the area, but not directly over it).
- Cupping therapy is relatively safe and adverse events are typically mild to moderate in severity. Most adverse events related to Cupping Therapy are headache, pruritus, dizziness, tiredness, muscle tension, nausea, bullae formation, and pain at the Cupping site.
