Cupping Therapy

It 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 to have the curative efficacy. It was called “horn cupping” in ancient times because animal horns were the material of cups. There are records about cupping in literature in ancient Greece, India and China. The tools for cupping are made of bamboo, ceramics or glass. The commonly-used cupping techniques are flash cupping, fire cupping, blood-suction cupping, hydro-cupping, retained cupping, slide cupping, and acupuncture cupping.

Cupping

Cupping with Bamboo Cups

Cupping with Ceramic Cups

Glass Cups

Bamboo Cups

Suction Cups

Ceramic Cups

Portions of this article were adapted from research materials originally published on the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine website.