The cups used in a cupping procedure are usually made of glass or plastic. Other types are made of bamboo, iron, or pottery.
In dry cupping, the cup is placed on the skin and a suction device removes the air from the cup to create the vacuum.
In wet cupping, the therapist punctures the skin slightly to draw a small amount of blood, and then places the cup on the patient’s body. The skin is punctured to allow toxins to leave the body.
The cups are placed most often on the back, stomach, arms, and legs. In all of the procedures, the cup pulls the skin upward into a rounded shape.
The cups are left on the skin for several minutes. Several cups can be placed on the skin at the same time, depending on the condition that is being treated. This negative pressure in the area applied will help to relieve pain and reduce congestion. The procedure is not painful, but sometimes a strong vacuum can feel like a hard pinch.
