Cupping is a type of complementary therapy that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. This suction is thought to increase the flow of energy in the body and assist healing.

Many believe that cupping helps balance yin and yang, or the negative and positive, within the body. Restoring balance between these two extremes is thought to help with the body’s resistance to pathogens as well as its ability to increase blood flow and decrease pain.

Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This may relieve muscle tension, which can improve overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue.

People use cupping to complement their care for a multitude of symptoms and conditions.