Definition of Cupping
Cupping: 1. A cup-shaped depression, as in the head of the optic nerve in the eye.
2. Treatment in which a cup is attached to the skin surface, usually on the back and the air within the cup is evacuated to suck the skin in and increase local blood flow. The practice has numerous variations including burning alcohol or another substance within the cup to create the vacuum and increase the heat.
Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionaryhttp://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=25665
Last Editorial Review: 6/23/2004
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