Cupping is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that utilizes small glass or plastic cups as suction devices that are placed on the skin. With glass cups, the suction is obtained by using a fire-lit cotton ball to draw out the oxygen. This process is done by quickly inserting and removing the fire-lit cotton ball into the cup and then placing the cup immediately onto the desired area (fire is not left in the cup while on the skin). When using plastic cups the suction is created by a hand held pump that removes the excess air out to create a suction between the cup and skin. Once the cups are suctioned onto the skin, they can be kept in place or gently moved across the skin. While cupping is utilized to increase health, it is quite relaxing and pleasant. This ancient technique is used often as it is thought to affect tissues up to four inches deep from the external skin. The skin is gently pulled up into the cups to stimulate the lymphatic system. The cupping technique brings fresh blood and oxygen to the affected site and carries away stagnant or damaged blood to speed up the healing process.