Event description

A practical introduction to cupping in clinical practice with Michael Pringle at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading.

Cupping has a great deal to offer as an adjunct to acupuncture. It is easy, safe and normally well received by patients (as long as the practitioner is confident and explains the procedure adequately). It also offers benefits that are hard to achieve in other modalities of Chinese medicine, such as the ability to clear the channels and collaterals after long-term illness.

While in China fire cupping, the most common method of cupping, is used on probably two thirds of all patients, cupping generally appears to be under used in the West, possibly because its technicalities are not well understood or practised. Though essentially a deduction technique used primarily to clear stagnation and accumulation, or Blood, Phlegm, fluids or qi; cupping can be used on deficient patients to open the way for new energy to return.

This seminar presents the important considerations for safe and effective cupping, reviews the indications for cupping and presents different ways of applying cups for different situations, including static cups (and how to control the intensity and effect), walking or flash cupping, moving cups, water cups and emergency cupping.

Numbers will be limited to 20 practitioners so that effective practical experience can be gained, and all participants will go away ready to use their skills in the clinical setting. The format will be demonstration, discussion, practice, questions and then on to the next topic with a round up at the end of the day.

‘I now use cupping every day in my practice and get results I never achieved before, and I really enjoy it.’ Comment from previous participant of this workshop

Michael Pringle graduated from CTA in 1982 and has practised ever since, adding healing and body work. In 2001 he joined the College’s integration course. In 2003 he took himself to China to gain clinical experience with the renowned Dr Wang Ning Sheng. While there, and at his request, he was fortunate enough to be rigorously schooled in cupping as an intern in the Nanjing clinic of Dr Wang, known locally for his gentle and effective technique. Nearly every day Michael was with him he was pushed to use different cupping techniques on his patients. Since his return he has studied and further refined his cupping skills, teaching it in small groups, and has had an article published on the use of fire cupping in the Journal of Chinese Medicine 83, Feb 2007. Michael has completed the College’s Chinese herbal medicine course and practises as an acupuncturist and herbal practitioner.

Course fee

£75 Refunds cannot be made unless at least two weeks notice is given.

Parking and rail travel

Parking is available at the Oracle shopping centre nearby. There is no car parking available at the College. We are a short walk from Reading railway station, at 19 Castle Street. Click here for directions and a map.

Course administration

0118 950 8880