Cupping is a form of alternative medicine, and has been practiced for thousands of years in China.
Cupping involves placing cups on the patient’s skin corresponding to the acupuncture points. The cups are made of glass, bamboo, or pottery.
The desired effect is to redden the local skin or achieve blood stasis at the site of treatment. It is thought in traditional Chinese medicine that this can potentially help with certain conditions and diseases.
There are a few different cupping techniques. The main type is called retained cupping, in which there is negative pressure in the cup. Usually this is done by igniting an alcohol-soaked cotton swab inside the cup, which creates a vacuum. The burning swab is removed, and the hot cup is placed on the skin, causing the skin to protrude.
Other cupping techniques include:
Cupping is used to treat numerous conditions, including headache, chronic pain, (eg back pain), herpes zoster, cough, common cold, asthma, urticaria, and menstrual irregularity. However, there is no clinical evidence to prove that cupping is effective for these conditions.
Cupping results in circular red marks (erythema), bruises (ecchymoses, petechiae, and linear purpuric streaks) and abrasions.
A case of panniculitis has also been reported as an adverse effect.
