Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medcine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.  Cupping therapy might be trendy now, but it’s not new. It dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures.

The cups may be made of:

• Glass
• Bamboo
• Earthenware
• Silicone

There are different types of cupping, including:

• Dry
• Wet

During both types of cupping, your therapist will put a cup on your skin to create a vacuum. This causes your skin to rise and redden as your blood vessels expand. The cup is generally left in place for up to 3 minutes.

A more modern version of cupping uses a rubber pump instead of fire to create the vacuum inside the cup. Sometimes therapists use silicone cups, which they can move from place to place on your skin for a massage-like effect.

Wet cupping creates a mild suction by leaving a cup in place for about 3 minutes. The therapist then removes the cup and uses a small scalpel to make light, tiny cuts on your skin. Next, they do a second suction to draw out a small quantity of blood.  Wet cupping removes harmful substances and toxins from the body to promote healing.

Afterward, you will get an antibiotic ointment or oil to prevent infection. Your skin should look normal again within 10 days.