Cupping is a type of physical therapy where a local suction is created on the skin. The vacuum inside the cup opens pores and fills the skin with blood, sucking out the pathogens from the pores. According to the TCM theory, wind and cold pathogens will leave the body with blood. After moving the cups around, the back of the body will show deep red stripes, purple marks, or blisters. This result is normal so no need to worry. Cupping imprints that are black or purple indicates there were many wind and cold pathogens within the body. As time pass (about 4 to 10 days) the imprints will fade, this is a sign that most of the pathogens have been cleared. If these marks do not go away, that means the immune system is not good. Cupping therapy has been used to achieve relaxation, relieve pain, release tight muscles, lift away tension, detox abdomen, cellulite reduction, lymph flow, and improve blood circulation. Cupping is beneficial to the body, but cupping therapy is not for everyone. *
