Cupping is a method from traditional Chinese medicine whereby glass cups are attached via suction to the skin with a mild vacuum. This causes the area of the skin under the cup to be raised.
In Western terms this lifts the skin and subcutaneous area away from the underlying muscle and fascia producing stretch and easing of tension in the muscle fascia. Within the Chinese model, the action of the cupping is to remove stagnation and promote the flow of Qi in the target area.
Although this method will leave a red mark on the skin for a few days after the treatment, it will often bring about tremendous improvement in muscle tone and range of motion in the target area.