To perform cupping therapy, a doctor places special cups made of plastic, glass, or squishy silicone wherever a person is experiencing pain. A doctor uses a handheld pump to suck air out of the plastic cups or squeeze silicone ones to draw up the skin underneath. A flame may be used to heat the air inside glass cups. The cups are then immediately set on the body. As the air inside the cups cools, suction is created, which pulls up a person’s skin.
All these methods produce the same effect, says Danesh: “Suction pulls layers of skin and tissue away from muscle, which relaxes tightness and relieves pain.” However, it can also create large purple bruises. That’s because the increased pressure bursts tiny blood vessels, causing blood to pool under the skin. After the treatment, the welts may be tender to the touch. “This isn’t harmful, and the bruises do go away,” says Danesh. “For some patients, a bruise is a small price to pay