Cupping is often described as the inverse of massage—instead of applying pressure to push muscles down, it uses gentle suction to lift them upward. This technique is considered one of the most effective deep-tissue therapies, with effects believed to reach up to four inches beneath the skin. Within this depth, toxins may be released, blockages cleared, and circulation in veins and arteries revitalized.

While cupping is often paired with acupuncture in a single session, it can also be used on its own. The suction and negative pressure help loosen tight muscles, improve blood flow, and calm the nervous system. Practitioners use cupping to address a variety of concerns, including back and neck pain, stiff muscles, migraines, fatigue, rheumatism, anxiety, and even the appearance of cellulite.

More benefits of Chinese cupping for the lungs include clearing congestion from a common cold or to help control a person’s asthma. In fact, respiratory conditions are one of the most common maladies that cupping is used to relieve.