Cupping is one of the oldest methods of traditional Chinese medicine.  The earliest recorded use of cupping dates to the early fourth century, when the noted herbalist Ge Hong wrote about a form of cupping in A Handbook of Prescriptions.

It involves placing of glass or plastic cups on the body.  By changing the pressure inside the cup,  the skin and the superficial layer of the muscle is drawn in and a suction is created.

Depending on the condition treated the cups will be placed on different parts of the body and retained from 5 to 20 minutes.