What Is Cupping?

What Is Cupping?

Cupping is a practice used in traditional medicine in several parts of the world, including China and the Middle East. It involves creating suction on the skin using a glass, ceramic, bamboo, or plastic cup. In “wet cupping,” the skin is pierced, and blood flows into the cup. “Dry cupping” doesn’t involve piercing the skin. There’s been some research on cupping, but most of it is of low quality. Cupping may reduce pain, but the evidence for this isn’t very strong. Cupping leaves temporary marks on the skin. It has also been linked to more significant problems such as persistent skin discoloration, scars, and infections. Find out more