Cupping is a therapy that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. This suction is believed to promote healing by increasing blood flow to the area, relaxing muscles, and reducing inflammation.
Traditional cupping techniques involve heating the inside of glass or bamboo cups with a flame or hot water to create a vacuum, then placing them on the skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it creates suction, which causes the skin and superficial muscle layer to be drawn upward into the cup. The cups are typically left in place for several minutes.