Cupping Therapy

A form of alternative medicine in which cups are placed on the skin to create suction, once the suction has occurred, the cups can be gently moved across the skin. The suction in the cups causes the skin and superficial muscle layer to be lightly drawn into the cup using gentle pressure to pull muscle fibers upward into the cup. This can be a relaxing and relieving sensation. Once suctioned, the cups are generally left in place for about ten minutes (or can be moved).  The suction itself may cause a deep reddening of the skin that will fade in 1-2 days (or sooner).  This technique is used to create blood flow to a muscle that is restricted.