Cupping is an ancient medical practice that involves putting special cups on the skin for a few minutes to generate suction to increase blood flow which helps increase the rate of healing in recovery from muscle fatigue, injuries, and other conditions. A famous Chinese alchemist and herbalist, Ge Hong, is reported to have invented cupping sometime in the 3rd century.
Dry cupping involves the therapist putting a flammable substance such as herbs or paper in a cup and lighting it on fire. Once the fire goes out, the cup is placed upside down on the skin. The air inside the cup then cools, creating a vacuum. This causes the skin to rise and for blood vessels to expand. The cup is usually left in place between three and five minutes.
There are many benefits from cupping including pain reduction, better athletic performance, improved digestion, sleep and mood enhancement, hormone balancing, and assisting with fertility.
