Cupping Therapy is an alternative medicine practices which uses cups to create suction on the skin, with claims that it promotes healthy blood flow. The cupping theory extends as far back as one the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus, which describes how the ancient Egyptians were using cupping therapy in 1,550 B.C. There are two different types of cupping: dry and wet. Dry is using suction only, where as wet cupping uses suction and controlled bleeding. Both use either alcohol, herbs, or paper inside of the cup to catch on fire and then placed on the skin as the fire goes out creating the suction. Cupping claims to help with muscle pain, healing, recovery, blood disorders, rheumatic diseases, fertility, high blood pressure, migraines, and many more. However, none of this has been backed up by solid research. There has only been one research study in 2012 that has provided accurate research that cupping is effective when paired with other therapies. Despite the lack of research, many celebrities and athletes are involving cupping into their daily routine. Most recently was Michael Phelps when he showed of his left over cupping spots all over his back during his swim in the Olympics! Check it out below:
