Can I drink alcohol after cupping therapy?
Disease description:
I am 45 years old. This afternoon, while I was at the bathhouse, someone helped me do cupping therapy. Tonight, a friend invited me to drink alcohol. I would like to ask, is it okay to drink alcohol after cupping therapy?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Sun Lianqing
It is not recommended to drink alcohol after cupping therapy. Cupping is a traditional Chinese medical treatment that applies negative pressure to the body's meridians and acupoints, aiming to remove cold pathogens, promote meridian circulation, and eliminate dampness. After cupping, the body's pores are open, and drinking alcohol at this time may increase internal dampness, which is not conducive to the elimination of dampness following cupping. Additionally, alcohol can stimulate blood circulation, potentially causing capillary rupture and bleeding at the cupping sites, increasing the body's burden and possibly affecting the therapeutic effectiveness of the cupping treatment. Moreover, consuming alcohol after cupping may cause discomfort symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and congestion. This is because cupping has already enhanced local blood circulation, and the irritative nature of alcohol may further dilate blood vessels, intensifying physical discomfort.
Alcohol consumption should be avoided after cupping, and if necessary, should be delayed for at least one day before moderate drinking. Furthermore, after cupping, one should keep warm, avoid exposure to wind or cold, maintain a light diet, and refrain from consuming raw, cold, or spicy foods to prevent increasing the body's burden. If discomfort symptoms occur after cupping, such as skin itching or rashes, prompt medical attention should be sought.
