When refugees from Southeast Asian started coming to this country in the 1970s they brought many traditional healing techniques with them. Many are still practiced. In our home we have recently started incorporating one technique–cupping.

Proeun was frequently treated with this technique for aches and pains and unexplained illnesses. Recently my father experienced his own unexplained illness. My mother-in-law suggested cupping and my father was willing to try. But first we had to test it.

Not knowing exactly where to begin we started with baby food

.

I needed smallish glass jars and purchased 20 4 oz jars for around $18. We dumped out the contents and soaked and scrubbed the bottles.

Then lit a candle and placed the jars over the candle one by one.

When the air inside the jar was sufficiently heated (10 seconds or less) the jar is placed on the back.

As the air cools it forms a natural suction.

The idea is that it moves the chi throughout the body, stimulating circulation. 

It worked fairly well. but the suction was not super tight so we decided to buy an actual kit at the local Asian grocery.

It cost about $48. The cups are plastic and have valves at the top that attach to the gun. Notice the monkey balm in the box. This is a key step. Put a small amount of monkey balm on the back. Then attach the cups to the gun.

Position on the back (avoid the spin) and pump a couple times then gently detach the cups. Notice the suction is much stronger.

To be really effective you want to see bruises when you are done, this proves the blood is moving.

Proeun said that he wanted me to learn how to apply the cups so he could be cupped again. My father said he slept the best he had in probably a year after having it done. I liked the gentle cupping of the baby food jars as a nice massage.