Cupping is a therapy that has been used in many different cultures around the world with either bamboo, plastic or glass cups of various sizes. There are different forms of cupping including suction cupping or fire cupping.
Usually plastic suction cups are placed over the treatment area and left for a few seconds or minutes. For a stronger treatment the cups will be moved over the treatment area. Based on traditional belief, it is thought that cupping can help ease muscular pain, improving circulation to the local area and draw out any impurities.
Cupping can cause bruising on the skin which is not always painful so it is important to let your acupuncturist know if you will be wearing clothing that will reveal the marks.