Dr. Mary Tan uses cupping to treat her patients. Cupping is an ancient healing method practiced in China and many cultures around the world for thousands of years. This therapy uses cups made of glass, bamboo, or natural stone to create gentle warmth inside the cup, producing a comfortable suction on specific areas of the body. The suction lifts the skin, often leaving purplish marks, and works to open the circulation of qi and blood in the meridians, drawing out stagnation.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, illnesses can be categorized into patterns such as cold, heat, excess, deficiency, exterior, and interior. Cupping is most effective for exterior and excess conditions, such as food poisoning, acute asthma attacks, or muscle pain after strenuous exercise.

When applied appropriately, cupping can bring rapid relief. For example, severe nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting from food poisoning — or wheezing and excessive phlegm from asthma — can often be eased within minutes. This is why cupping has long been regarded in China as one of the most effective emergency treatments.

However, improper use — such as overly strong suction from forced rubber squeezing, or applying cupping to patients with deficiency or deep internal organ weakness — can be harmful. One way to assess proper application is by observing the marks left after treatment: dark purplish marks usually indicate correct use, while light pink or colorless marks may suggest inappropriate application.

Safe and effective cupping relies on accurate TCM diagnosis. Without proper training and understanding of TCM principles, cupping can be misapplied, leading to negative effects on health.