Where should cupping be applied for dysmenorrhea?

Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon for women. Many women experience dysmenorrhea during menstruation. Some people have severe dysmenorrhea, which has a great impact on their daily life and work. For those with severe dysmenorrhea, cupping can be used to relieve dysmenorrhea. Cupping generally relieves pain through acupuncture points. Where should cupping be used for dysmenorrhea?

Where should I apply cupping for dysmenorrhea?

Commonly used acupoints for cupping for dysmenorrhea

First lie prone and apply cupping on the liver point, kidney point and ciliao point for 10-15 minutes.

Liver Shu: On the back, 1.5 inches below the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra, with one point on each side.

Ciliao: In the sacrum, below and inside the posterior superior iliac spine, opposite to the second posterior sacral foramen, one point on each side.

Shenshu: On the waist, 1.5 inches below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra, one point on each side.

In supine position, apply cupping on Qihai, Guanyuan, Zhongji, Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Diji and Taichong acupoints for 10-15 minutes.

Qihai: In the lower abdomen, on the anterior midline, 1.5 inches below the navel.

Guanyuan: In the lower abdomen, on the anterior midline, 3 inches below the navel.

Zhongji: In the lower abdomen, on the anterior midline, 4 inches below the umbilicus.

Zusanli: On the anterior and lateral side of the lower leg, 3 inches below the outer knee pit (calf nose), about one horizontal finger outside the front edge of the tibia, one point on each side.

Diji: On the inner side of the calf, on the line connecting the tip of the inner ankle and Yinlingquan, 3 inches below Yinlingquan, one point on each side.

Sanyinjiao: On the inner side of the calf, 3 inches directly above the tip of the inner ankle, on the inner posterior edge of the tibia, one point on each side.

Taichong: On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression in front of the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones, one point on each side.

Cupping treatment for dysmenorrhea

Qi stagnation and blood stasis type

Before menstruation or on the first or second day of menstruation, there is distension and pain in the lower abdomen that is resistant to pressure, or even severe pain in the lower abdomen with nausea and vomiting, accompanied by chest and flank distension, or scanty menstruation, or irregular menstruation, with dark purple menstrual blood and clots. The pain subsides after the clots are discharged and disappears when the menstruation is over.

Cupping therapy:

Select the diaphragm point, liver point, ciliao point, zhongji point and xuehai point. The pricking and cupping method is used. The diaphragm and liver points are pricked with plum blossom needles to cause bleeding. Slight bleeding on the skin is considered the stop. Cupping is then performed until a small amount of blood spots appear on the skin. Simple cupping is used for the remaining points. The cups are left on for 10 minutes. This method is repeated once a day, and 10 times constitute a course of treatment.

Cold and damp stagnation type

A few days before or during menstruation, you may feel cold and pain in your lower abdomen, which is relieved by warmth. When you press on your lower abdomen, you may feel worse pain. Your menstrual flow is scanty, dark or contains blood clots, or you may feel cold and painful.

Cupping therapy:

1. Select Taichong, Shenshu, Zhongji, Yinlingquan and Sanyinjiao points. Use plum blossom needle to prick Taichong to induce bleeding. Use simple cupping method for other points. Leave the cup for 10 minutes, once a day. 10 times as a course of treatment.

2. Take Shuidao, Zhongji, Diji and Sanyinjiao, and use the moxibustion cupping method. First, use moxa sticks to light each acupoint for 15 minutes, until the skin feels warm and the body feels comfortable. Then suck the cupping and leave the cup for 10 minutes. Do it once a day, and 10 times as a course of treatment.

Qi and blood deficiency type

There is dull pain in the lower abdomen one or two days after the menstrual period or during the entire menstrual period. The patient likes to rub and press the abdomen. The menstrual flow is small, light in color and thin in texture. The patient may also feel tired and weak, or have a poor complexion, or have a poor appetite and thin stools.

Cupping therapy:

1. Select Pishu, Qihai, Guanyuan and Zusanli. First use moxibustion to warm the area for 15 minutes each time, until the skin feels warm and the body feels comfortable. Then suck the cupping cup and leave the cup on for 10 minutes, once a day, 10 times as a course of treatment.

2. Select Pishu, Ci Liao, Qi Hai, Zu San Li and San Yin Jiao, first use moxibustion to warm the points for 15 minutes each, then apply cupping, leaving the cup for 10 minutes, once a day, 10 times as a course of treatment.