Cupping

Cupping is a method of applying acupressure by creating a vacuum next to the patient's skin. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) it involves placing glass, plastic, or bamboo cups on the skin with a vacuum. The therapy is used to relieve what is called "stagnation" in TCM terms, and is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Cupping is also used to treat back, neck, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal pain.

Images

Chinese swimmer, Wang Qun, was photographed just before the Summer 2008 Olympics doing some last minute training in Beijing with round marks on her back from an acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine moxibustion treatment.

References:
© 1991 by H Beinfield & E Korngold. Between Heaven and Earth, A Guide to Chinese Medicine. Ballantine, 1991.
© 1973, 1987 by C Huang. Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain. Celestial Arts, 1987.
© 1980 by Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, et. al. Essentials of Chinese Acupuncture. Foreign Languages Press, 1980.