[The history of cupping therapy].

As an important and integral part of non - drug folk therapy on TCM, there were also many other names for cupping therapy, such as "horning", "needlehorn", "sucking method", "fire - cupping", "boiling bamboo cylinder". By textual investigation, considerable clear recognition can be reached on the names, cupping instruments, cupping measure, indications and contradictions in different historical stages. Presently, cupping therapy is combined with other measures, such as drug therapy, acumoxibustions etc. In recent years, multi - functional vacuum cupping devices made of high - technical materials mark a great leap forward of the features of cupping devices and sucking measures.