Cupping (a manipulative and body-based practice) is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Cupping is believed to increase blood flow to the site of application, thereby improving healing in that area.
The air inside a cup is heated, often using a rubber pump in modern practice. The heated cup is immediately inverted and placed on the skin. The resulting vacuum sucks the skin partway into the cup, which may be left in place for several minutes.
Cupping can help reduce neck and low back musculoskeletal pain (1). Cupping has been used in combination with acupuncture and moxibustion to treat postherpetic neuralgia (2). Cupping has also been used in metabolic syndrome, facial paralysis, acne, and respiratory symptoms, but evidence is limited (3).
Cupping will redden and may burn the skin.
(See also Overview of Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine.)
References
1. Wood S, Fryer G, Tan LLF, Cleary C: Dry cupping for musculoskeletal pain and range of motion: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Bodyw Mov Ther 24(4):503-518, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.06.024
2. Zhou Q, Wei S, Zhu H, et al: Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 100(31):e26785, 2021. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000026785
3. Cramer H, Klose P, Teut M, et al: Cupping for patients with chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pain 21(9-10):943-956, 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2020.01.002
