The technique known as Cupping, Fire Cupping, or Body Vacuuming, was an ancient Chinese healing practice. The ancient way was to create a vacuum in a cup made of horn, bamboo, glass, or metal, by burning a combustible (like moxa, or alcohol) inside it, then quickly applying the cup to the skin, allowing the force of the vacuum to draw up the underlying tissue. When that is done, the body surface extends into the cup, and there is usually a reddening of the area under pressure. Sometimes massage oils or aromatherapy essences were also used. Applied to significant acupuncture points, cupping was respected as a way to stimulate the flow of Chi, similarly to massage, and acupressure.