Cupping is
a type of Chinese massage, consisting of placing several glass "cups"
(open spheres) on the body. A match is lit and placed inside the cup and then
removed before placing the cup against the skin. As the air in the cup is
heated, it expands, and after placing in the skin, cools, creating lower
pressure inside the cup that allows the cup to stick to the skin via suction.
When combined with massage oil, the cups can be slid around the back, offering
"reverse-pressure massage".
Through suction, the skin is drawn into the
cup by creating a vacuum in the cup placed on the skin over the targeted area.
The vacuum can be created either by the heating and cooling of the air in the
cup or via a mechanical pump. The cup is usually left in place for somewhere
between five and fifteen minutes. It is believed by some to help treat pain,
deep scar tissues in the muscles and connective tissue, muscle knots, and
swelling; however, the efficacy of this is unproven.
Cupping is generally
safe when done by trained health professionals on people who are otherwise
healthy. It is not recommended in people with health
problems due to side effects. Cupping
is not recommended as a replacement for typical treatment. Cupping may result in bruising, burns, pain,
or skin infection.