Cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese, Middle Eastern & Egyptian practice that people use to treat a variety of conditions. It is one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus, describes how the ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy in 1,550 B.C.

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a practitioner puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including helping with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being.

There are different methods of cupping, including:

• Dry (known as Chinese Cupping in South & East Asia)
• Wet  (known as Hijama in Middle East & Western Countries)

Dry Cupping

The practitioner will put a flammable substance such as alcohol, herbs, or paper in a cup and set it on fire. As the fire goes out, he puts the cup upside down on your skin.

As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a vacuum. This causes your skin to rise and redden as your blood vessels expand. The cup is generally left in place for up to 3 minutes.

Wet Cupping

During Wet cupping, the practitioner creates mild suction by leaving a cup in place for about 3 minutes. Then removes the cup and uses a small scalpel to make light, tiny cuts on your skin. Next, he or she does a second suction to draw out a small quantity of blood. It is advisable to get 3-5 cups done in your first session. Or you might just try one to see how it goes. It’s rare to get more than 5-7 cups, Says British Cupping Society.

Afterward, you may get an antibiotic ointment and bandage to prevent infection. Your skin should look normal again within 10 days.

Cupping therapy supporters believe that wet cupping removes harmful substances and toxins from the body to promote healing.