Cupping

Cupping is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment where a plastic or glass cup sucks onto the body, creating a vacuum. The phenomenon has recently become very popular in the west, with many celebrities using it.

The treatment, as with other TCM treatments, is based on the TCM theory that a healthy body has an abundant amount of Qi (energy) flowing through the meridians (vital energy channels), when the meridians are blocked, health issues arise. The cups are placed along the network of the body's meridians (usually on the patient's back) and can effectively remove the stagnation of Qi and blood. The suction of the cups removes toxins within the body, improves blood flow and calms the nervous system.

It is generally recommended that cupping is combined with acupuncture for the best results, but it can also be used alone.

It is very normal for the area where cupping treatment has been performed to become a red colour, this will disappear after a few days.