PMC

(a) The soft tissue over the triceps area is sucked into the cup during cupping therapy using an electronic cupping device. (b) The redness over the cupping area appears after cupping therapy.

Green circles resemble cupping areas that were targeted in every session, whereas blue circles resemble cupping areas that were targeted occasionally.

Postural drainage positions. The different positions used are aimed to target drainage from specific lung lobes and segments. (A) Upper lobes, apical segments: patient sits and leans back 30 degrees. Cupping and clapping over area between the clavicle and top of scapula on both sides. (B) Upper lobes, posterior segments: patient leans forward 30 degrees. Cupping and clapping over upper back on both sides. (C) Upper lobes, anterior segments: patient lies supine with knees bent. Cupping and clapping between clavicles and nipples on both sides. (D) Right middle lobe: patient lies in Trendelenburg position and rotate to left 1/4 turn with knees flexed. In males, cupping and clapping over right nipple area. In women, raise right arm over the head and perform cupping and clapping at mid-axillary line. (E) Lingula: patient lies in Trendelenburg position and rotate to right 1/4 turn with knees flexed. In males, cupping and clapping over left nipple area. In women, raise left arm over the head and perform cupping and clapping at mid-axillary line. (F) Lower lobes, anterior basal segments: patient lies in Trendelenburg position on contralateral side with pillow under knees. Cupping and clapping over lower ribs at mid-axillary line. (G) Lower lobes, lateral basal segments: patient lies in Trendelenburg prone position and rotate 1/4 turn upward ipsilaterally with legs between pillow and upper legs flexed. Cupping and clapping over upper part of lower ribs. (H) Lower lobes, posterior basal segments: patient lies in Trendelenburg prone position with pillows under hips. Cupping and clapping over lower ribs just lateral to the spine. (I) Lower lobes, superior segments: patient lies prone with two pillows under hips. Cupping and clapping over the middle of the back at the scapula tips next to the spine.

Measurement of the skin temperature of the cupping site at different stages of the experiment using IRT. ROIs are marked with black circles. (a) The basal temperature before cupping is measured. (b) Cupping is started at − 0.03 MPa on the left and − 0.04 MPa on the right. The mean temperature in the ROI is represented by the average temperature of two small circular regions. (c) Cupping is maintained. (d) 500 s after cupping. (e) 1800 s after cupping. R right, L left.