Cupping

I had often seen the big red circular weals on people's backs where they had had cupping but this was the first time I had actually seen it being done. I'm not entirely sure how it works but I believe that the air inside the glass containers is heated. The cups are then applied to the patient's back and as the air cools (and uses up oxygen maybe?) a vacuum occurs and the cups stick to the skin. This is an ancient traditional Chinese treatment that is widely practised throughout Cambodia. It is thought to be most effective for coughs and colds and wheezes. The marks that are left are very dramatic but apparently it doesn't hurt