What is cupping?

Cupping is a technique often used with acupuncture to loosen and relax muscles and disperse stagnation in the body. The stagnation of Qi and blood causes pain and disease, and cupping breaks up blockages and restores the body's natural flow of energy and balance. During a cupping treatment, heated air is placed in a cup which cools and creates a vacuum, drawing the skin and muscle upward into the cup, increasing blood circulation, relieving muscle tension and promoting cell repair. Cupping separates the fascia layer from the muscles, allowing fresh blood, oxygen, nutrients, and energy to heal the area, releasing any stagnation and relieving pain and tension. Cupping is effective at promoting the body's healing process and is often used by athletes to decrease muscle recovery time.