Ancient form of promoting blood and qi circulation to a specific area. The practitioner creates suction in a cup and then applies that cup to the body, which then draws the skin up around the cup, under the cup. The traditional method uses fire. The practitioner wets a cotton ball with alcohol and then ignites the soaked cotton ball and places it in the cup.

This therapy is warming and causes a local increase in the flow of Qi and blood through the meridians. Cupping is frequently used to treat arthritic conditions, sprains and strains, facial paralysis (Bell’s Palsy), and the common cold. Patients especially feel the results on tight, achy and knotted muscles.