Cupping can be performed on hypertensive patients when their blood pressure is under stable control; however, cupping is not recommended when the blood pressure is relatively high.
Cupping is to make a negative pressure inside the can, so that the can is adsorbed on the patient’s skin. This treatment method, which has the efficacy of warming the menstruation, dispersing cold, activating blood circulation and relieving pain, can be used clinically to treat a wide range of conditions such as lumbar back pain, rheumatic paralysis, abdominal pain and so on. Hypertensive patients with stable blood pressure control and the above mentioned discomfort symptoms can be treated with cupping.
However, as the cupping adsorption on the patient’s body makes the skin tense and produces a certain stimulation to the whole body, those with high blood pressure may not be able to accept this stimulation, and there is a possibility of accelerated heart rate, which may affect the blood pressure. Therefore, this treatment is not recommended for patients with high blood pressure. Besides, cupping is not recommended for patients with broken skin, skin diseases, or those who are too weak.
If patients need cupping, they should go to the hospital and receive regular treatment.