Cupping is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. This causes local skin congestion and stasis of blood to prevent and treat diseases. It has the following effects:

1. Activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis
In Chinese medicine, there is a saying that “if blood and energy(qi) pass, you won’t feel pain”. When muscles, ligaments, and bones are injured, they hurt because of local blood stasis, which prevents fresh blood from flowing to the affected area. If the blood stasis is not eliminated, the pain will not stop. Cupping at the corresponding local acupuncture point can eliminate the stasis of blood, generate new blood, and open meridians and channels. This helps energy(qi) and blood flow freely and achieves the purpose of “There will be no pain if energy and blood pass”.
2. Removal of Metabolic Waste
When an individual has a slow metabolism, there can be a buildup of unprocessed substances in the body’s tissues. For instance, pus can develop from gastric ulcers, sputum can become thicker in the lung. These fluids are highly concentrated and cannot exit the bloodstream, remaining in the interstitial spaces of the tissues, and ultimately affecting the proper functioning of organs. Cupping generates negative pressure that draws excess fluid to the surface of the body, where it can be drained through bloodletting. This technique is called heavy-cupping.
3. Relax the Muscles
For deep muscle relaxation, apply a layer of massage oil and use a suction cup to move along the muscles. This technique, known as moving-cupping, is highly effective and surpasses the benefits of both Gua Sha and massage. It is often used in conjunction with acupuncture for optimal results.