Cupping is a manual therapy where a vacuum is created inside a small cup or jar using either flame (to burn the oxygen), or a manual pump. The cup is then applied to a fleshy area of the body, drawing in the tissue.

The cups may be left in place or manipulated in different ways according to what the problem is. Primarily, cupping is utilised in conditions where there is chronic pain, especially chronic musculoskeletal pain, as well as in soft tissue injury.