Although there are many forms of alternative medicine available, fire cupping deserves special mention, as it is one of the most traditionally used alternative medicine for ages. Fire cupping can be found in all regions and cultures of the world and cannot be said to have originated from one particular location specifically.

It is on record that the Egyptians have practised cupping since 1,550 B.C. The Chinese have used it since the 1,000 B.C. and archaeologists have found evidence indicating that Hippocrates (400 B.C.) of Greece used cupping to treat internal diseases.

The practise of fire cupping involves moderately heating a cup (mostly made of iron). The cup is then put on affected area or part of the body. After some time and as a result of difference in pressure, the cup forms a tight seal with the skin and starts to pull in the skin (suck). Through this, the inside part is expected to absorb the heat and any unwanted fluid or stagnated blood will be dissolved away, relieving the patient. In other instances, small incisions are made on the skin above the affected part. When the cup is placed over the incisions, unwanted blood or fluid is drawn out, relieving the patient.

The basis of cupping is to create a difference in air pressure so that the desired effect can be achieved. As the practise has been practised all round the world, the tools, method and procedures followed may differ from place to place, but the desired effects are the same.

When the cup is removed from its grip on the skin, a circular mark is left, but this fades away fast enough. However, if the practise is done by unqualified person, serious burns may occur and the marks might turn into wounds. Soft tissue areas are the most targeted as the cup can hold up well in such areas. The number of cups used depends on the size of the affected area.

There are modern tools that are used in the practise. These include a mechanical suction pump whose action is through a pipe connected at the bottom of the cup sucks out air, creating a vacuum and this results in the skin being pulled towards the inside of the heated cup.

Another form of cupping is the wet cupping. In this practise, a lancet is used to make small incisions above the affected area. This is followed by putting a very wet (cold) cup over the incisions. Because of the resultant air pressure, unwanted blood or fluid will be sucked out. Wet cupping has been used in the Muslim world for ages.

There has emerged another form of 'cupping' that is becoming popular in message parlours. This involves using small, special flat-shaped, smooth-surfaced stones. These are moderately heated and placed on such places as shoulders, neck, back, abdomen, legs, feet and sole. As opposed to fire and wet cupping, this does not involve drawing of blood out but to relax, stimulate the body and relieve stress.