Cupping is an additional therapy by which cups are placed on the skin to create suction. This aspect of treatment releases tightness in muscles by breaking up knots and adhesions and it can release pain and discomfort. Benefits include releasing rigid tissue, delivering blood flow to tight muscles, loosening adhesions, decreasing inflammation, strengthening the immune system, releasing stress and deep tissue relief. Cupping leaves marks on the skin that look like bruises; however they are not. Bruises are caused by trauma (something hitting hard into tissue), cupping mark are made by creating a vacuum like seal from the skin to the cup which brings blood into the tissue. This is the therapeutic effect of cupping.