Cupping therapy is an incredibly ancient and universal practice that spans in history in both East and West. In the primitive shamanistic practices of all the world’s indigenous peoples, there were certain shamans who specialised in the sucking out of illness and infirmity from the body. 

The Eastern and Western History of Cupping Therapy

In Eastern history, the Chinese have been practising the art of Cupping for at least three thousand years. Along with Tui Na massage, acupuncture and herbs, Cupping forms part of the traditional bodywork or physiotherapy system of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cupping is applied to the acupuncture points to relieve the stagnation of Qi and blood, both locally and in the organ(s) activated by the point.

In Western history, Cupping Therapy had its birth in Egypt. The Ebers Papyrus, written around 1550 B.C.E. states that bleeding by wet cupping removes foreign matter from the body. In Cupping, the ancient Egyptians saw the remedy for just about every disorder. 

The ancient Egyptians passed the art of cupping on to the ancient Greeks. Both Hippocrates and Galen were staunch advocates and users of cupping therapy. Galen once condemned Erasistratus, a noted physician in Alexandria, for not using cupping. Herodotus, a famous Greek historian and physician, wrote, in 413 B.C.: 

“Scarification with Cupping possesses the power of evacuating offending matter from the head; of diminishing pain of the same part; of lessening inflammation; of restoring the appetite; of strengthening a weak stomach; of removing vertigo and a tendency to faint; of drawing deep-seated offending matter towards the surface; of drying up fluxions; checking haemorrhages; promoting menstrual evacuations; arresting the tendency to putrefaction in fevers; allaying rigors; accelerating and moderating the crisis of diseases; removing a propensity to somnolence; conciliating natural repose; removing heaviness.”

From the ancient Greeks and Romans, through the Alexandrians and Byzantines, Cupping Therapy was passed on to the Muslim Arabs and Persian history. The Prophet Mohammed sanctioned the use of cupping. Cupping is now an important and popular therapeutic modality of Unani Medicine. 

In the West, Cupping remained an important part of medicine and therapy; both were conventional, alternative, and folk-based, until the early 20th century. The surgeon Charles Kennedy wrote, in 1826:

“The art of cupping has been so well-known, and the benefits arising from it so long experienced, that it is quite unnecessary to bring forward testimonials in favour of what has received not only the approbation of modern times, but also the sanction of remotest antiquity.”

After falling out of favour with medicine in the modern era, Cupping Therapy is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, promoted by celebrities, such as Michael Phelps and Jennifer Aniston, acupuncturists and other holistic healthcare practitioners. One secret of Cupping’s perennial popularity is its great ability to promote a state of deep pleasure and profound relaxation.

Modernized Cupping Therapy

Bellabaci is the original creator of the first vacuum-squeezable silicone Cups. Developed by Bellabaci Founder, Keren Trabelsi in 2010. Today Bellabaci Cups are used in luxury Spa’s worldwide and the soft silicone cups are easy and gentle enough to give yourself and your loved ones a kiss of wellness at home. 

Movement Cupping Therapy Massage is a well-known therapy used for stagnation, toxin elimination, lymphatic drainage, pain relief, anti-ageing, circulation, stress reduction, cellulite treatment and digestion.