Cupping has been used for thousands of years in China and around the world. Ancient Egyptians (1550 BC) and ancient Greeks (413 BC) used cupping to remove foreign matter from the body, diminish pain, lessen inflammations, and restore appetite. Its early uses were primarily to draw out pus and blood in the treatment of boils and carbuncles. Later, it was found to be effective in treating other diseases and ailments. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place.

The earliest written record of cupping being used is Bo Shu, a silk book that was found in a Han dynasty tomb. In 755 AD, cupping was recorded as being used to treat tuberculosis. In 1055 AD, chronic cough and poisonous snakebites were added to the list of ailments that could be treated with cupping. Cupping became very popular in Europe during the 1800’s for the treatment of many diseases. However, during the 20th century, cupping died out as a treatment due to the development of antibiotics and fever-reducing drugs. Today, cupping is used to treat "bi-syndrome" ("painful obstruction") in Chinese medicine, asthma, common cold, chronic cough, indigestion problems, and skin conditions.

Early instruments for cupping included cattle horns and bamboo cups. The first cupping therapy was applied using cattle horns, which gave it the name "horn therapy”. Originally, the Chinese applied hollowed-out animal horns to the skin, sucked the air out of the horn and then blocked the opening with one finger, drawing up the underlying tissues.

Sheepskin valves were also used to create suction in the cups. Modern suction cupping is still very similar to old methods, but some new developments include electronic, electrical, and mechanized suction pumps. Electromagnetic cupping has been shown to increase the therapeutic effectiveness of cupping, especially when applied to the joints.

Cupping therapy was further developed in Chinese medicine as a means to open the "Meridians" of the body. Meridians are the conduits through which energy flows to every part of the body and through every organ and tissue. There are five meridians on the back that, when opened, allow invigorating energy to travel the entire length of the body. It has been found that cupping is probably the best way of opening those meridians.

Cupping has also been found to affect the body up to four inches into the tissues. It was considered that this caused tissues to release toxins, activated the lymphatic system, cleared colon blockages, helped activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, activated the skin, cleared stretch marks and improved varicose veins.

Because of the depth of its effect, cupping is among the best deep tissue massages available. Cupping is useful, safe, and free from side effects; it can easily learned and incorporated into your family health practices.

With recent scientific and technological developments, cupping therapy is gaining more and more acknowledgement and acceptance in western medicine. Throughout the world, more and more people are using this simple, traditional method for healing and keeping fit.