Cupping therapy involves creating suction by placing cups on the body for a few minutes. It is an is an ancient alternative therapy.

In a cupping therapy a therapist starts by putting a flammable substance such as herbs, paper, alcohol in a cup and set it on fire as the fire goes out the heated cups are then placed on the skin, the hot air inside the cup creates a vacuum which draws the muscle and skin upward into the cup.

The risks associated with cupping therapy are burns due to hot cups, bruises which is also the most visible effect, soreness and discomfort.

As cupping therapy loosens the muscles, it encourages blood flow and calms the nervous system, hence it is useful in hypertension, stiff muscles, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism, cervical and lumbar spondylosis, and facial paralysis.

Hijama is also known as wet cupping which means a small skin incision is made which causes bleeding unlike cupping which is dry and no bleeding is associated with it.