A cotton ball with 95 % alcohol held by forceps is ig-nited, put into the cup, moved inside the cup for one cir-cle and then taken out. When the burning cotton ball is taken out, the cup is immediately covered on the selected region. This method is called fire-flashing method (see Fig. 127). Or an ignited alcohol cotton ball or a piece of burning paper is thrown into the cup, the cup is immediately covered on the selected region. Usually the cup is sucked in place for about 10 minutes. For the withdrawal of the cup, the skin around the rim of the cup is pressed with the in-dex finger to let air in, then the cup is removed slowly. In addition, cupping may be used together with acupuncture. Method: During the retention of the needle, a cup is sucked over the needling area. The needle is withdrawn when the cup is removed. Or a three-edged needle is used to prick for bloodletting and then a cup is sucked over the pricked area for strengthening the cura-tive effect.
