In air cupping instead of using a flame to heat the cup the cup is applied to the skin and a suction pump is attached to the rounded end of the jar the pump is then used to create the vacuum while cupping is considered relatively safe especially air cupping which does not include the risk of fire and heat it can cause some swelling and bruising on the skin as the skin under a cup is drawn up the blood vessels at the surface of the skin expand this may result in small circular br