Cupping is a form of therapy that involves the suction of the skin and the surface muscle layer to stretch and be drawn into a cup. Cupping is used to encourage the blood flow of the body and treat conditions such as acute or chronic pains, respiratory problems and musculoskeletal problems. There are two methods of cupping: dry and wet. Each method includes different types of cupping. The two most common types of dry cupping are fire cupping and suction cupping. In the procedure of fire cupping, the inside of a glass cup is heated with fire, then placed onto the skin. As the air inside the cup cools, a vacuum is created causing the skin and muscle layer to rise and redden into the cup. In the procedure of wet cupping, the skin is punctured by sterile needles before either the fire cups or suction cups are placed on the skin. This technique draws out the blood, thus removing harmful substances and toxins from the body. The cups in both methods are to be left on the patient’s skin for 2 to 10 minutes.

Is it safe? Does it hurt?

During a cupping treatment, a cup is heated and suctioned and then placed on the skin. The cup is often heated with fire using alcohol into the cup. The fire source is removed, and the heated cup is placed with the open side on your skin. You will feel suction on your skin, if the suction is too strong inform your practitioner.

After the cups are removed from the session, temporary red marks might show on the patient’s skin. These marks might remain on the skin for up to 10 days. These marks are to be expected and are a result of bruising and minor bleeding from broken capillary blood vessels.

What conditions benefit from cupping

• Cold, headache and dizziness

• Rheumatism, sore joints

• Cough and wheezing

• Abdominal pain, bowel ringing, stool and diarrhea

• Herpes zoster

• Acne

• Facial paralysis

• Cervical spondylosis

• High blood pressure

• Migraines

• Anxiety etc.