Cupping
Cupping is one of the oldest methods of traditional Chinese medicine. The earliest recorded use of cupping dates to the early fourth century. Glass cups are used at the clinic to allow the acupuncturist to see the skin and evaluate the effects of treatment.
How does cupping work?
In a typical cupping session, glass cups are warmed using a cotton ball or other flammable substance, which is soaked in
alcohol, let, then placed inside the cup. Burning a substance inside the cup removes all the oxygen, which creates a vacuum. As the substance burns, the cup is turned upside-down so that the practitioner can place the cup over a specific area. The vacuum created by the lack of oxygen anchors the cup to the skin and pulls it upward on the inside of the glass as the air inside the jar cools.
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