Fire twinkling is the common method in cupping therapy. In the teaching materials of acupuncture and moxibustion

and the national standard

Standardized Manipulations of

Acupuncture

and Moxibustion

-

Part 5

:

Cupping Therapy

this cupping technique is operated by i

gniting an alcohol-soaked cotton ball held with a forceps

placing it inside the cup

taking it out after "turning around in several circles"

and placing the cup on the selected area. Based on the clinical experience of chief physician

LI Yan

a high-efficient and safe fire twinkling was developed. Clamping the middle part of the cotton ball with a holder

dipping it in 95% ethanol

and squeezing the cotton ball to ensure no ethanol drops left; holding the cup with the dominant hand and covering the ignited cotton ball vertically

removing the cup immediately when the ball touching the cup bottom. Such manipulation mode

"flame going in and out directly"

can avoid the potential safety hazards such as residual ethanol left on the cup opening

overheating of cup opening and accidentally falling-off of the ignited cotton ball.