This 2,500-year-old practice involves placing special cups filled with heated air on painful areas of the body. As the cups cool, the volume of air within them shrinks, creating suction on the skin that increases blood flow to the area. It is commonly used to ease aches and pains, relieve respiratory problems, mitigate coughs and wheezing, improve circulation and reduce menstrual symptoms. Cupping can leave bruises that can take a week or more to fade. It is not recommended for treatment of fevers, skin diseases or bleeding disorders. Sessions last 10 to 15 minutes and can be repeated once the marks from the previous session have disappeared.