Cupping
Cupping is one of the oldest methods of traditional Chinese medicine, tracing their earliest use back to the early fourth century.
To start, inside the glass cup is heated with a small flame to create a vacuum. Then, the cup is placed over often on the energetic pathways. The vacuum anchors the cup to the skin and draws and hold the skin and superficial layer of muscles into the cup. Several cups may be left on the body from 5 to 10 minutes (static cupping).
Cupping may be carried out in a form of sliding cupping, in which the cups are anchored to the skin first and moved over the previously oiled body, creating deep tissue massaging effects.
It has been found that cupping affects the body tissues up to four inches deep. This can cause the tissues to release toxins and clear energy blockages.
Cupping may be used alone or in combination with acupuncture.