cupping

medical procedure

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Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Cupping is a medical procedure that involves using a glass vessel to draw blood to the surface of the body. This technique, which has been used since the 14th century, is part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, cupping is used alongside other methods like acupuncture and herbal remedies to restore harmony and balance the body's vital energy, known as qi.12

The procedure typically involves placing hot glass cups on the skin. A partial vacuum is created within the cup, which causes the skin and superficial blood vessels to be drawn into the cup. This process is believed to stimulate blood flow and promote healing.213

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Cupping, another approach, involved scraping the skin and then placing a cup over the scraped skin. Applying heat or suction to the cup created a vacuum that allowed blood to be drawn out. Leeches continued to be used as well. A 15th-century Welsh manuscript records…
Read More
Cupping, another approach, involved scraping the skin and then placing a cup over the scraped skin. Applying heat or suction to the cup created a vacuum that allowed blood to be drawn out. Leeches continued to be used as well. A 15th-century Welsh manuscript records…
Read More