Cupping

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Cupping is a method to stimulate acupoints by applying suction through a metal, wood or glass jar in which a partial vacuum has been created. The technique produces blood congestion and mild subcutaneous stasis at the site which produces a curative effect. It was called “horn cupping” in ancient times because the cups were made from animal horns. The current tools for cupping are made of bamboo, ceramics or glass. Cupping is mentioned in literature in ancient Greece, India and China. Commonly-used cupping techniques are flash cupping, fire cupping, blood-suction cupping, hydro-cupping, retained cupping, slide cupping, and acupuncture cupping.