Cupping

“Cupping Therapy” is a form of alternate medicine developed in ancient China. It involves using small cups, placed against the skin, to create a partial vacuum. Traditionally, the partial vacuum was created by using fire to heat the air inside of the cup, then placing the cup against the body.  When the air inside the cup cools, it contracts and produces a slight vacuum.  This method would routinely leave burns and scaring.  In modern times, devices have been made that use pumps to suction the air out of the cups, but can still cause burst capillaries and bruising.   

People who engage in cupping believe it to be able to cure numerous ailments, ranging from blood disorders to fertility problems, even though there is no evidence showing any health benefit from it.  All of this is done based on the idea that creating the small vacuum will cause stagnant blood to move and improve a person’s “Qi.”

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/manualhealingandphysicaltouch/cupping