Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most commonly used complementary and alternative medical treatments in the world. It typically is not considered a stand-alone treatment but a part of Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is believed to keep the balance between Yin (associated with the parasympathetic nervous system) and the Yang (associated with the sympathetic nervous system). This allows for the normal flow of Qi associated with neural transmission throughout the body and restores health to the mind and body. Acupuncture is the practice of inserting and manipulating needles into the superficial skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscles of the body at particular acupuncture points. At times, electroacupuncture, the process in which an electrical current is applied to the needles once they are inserted, may be used to further stimulate the respective acupuncture points and often can be used to replace manipulation of needles.

Cupping is a type of Chinese massage, consisting of placing several glass spheres on the body. They are heated using a cotton ball and a flammable substance which is placed inside the cup to remove all the oxygen. The substance is then removed before the practitioner places the cup against the skin. The air in the cup then cools, creating lower pressure inside the cup, thus creating a vacuum and allowing the cup to stick to the skin.

Depending on the condition being treated, the cups will be left in place from 5 to 15 minutes. When combined with massage oil, the cups can be slid around the back while drawing up the skin. Drawing up the skin is believed to stimulate the flow of blood, balance and realign the flow of Qi, break up obstructions, and create an avenue for toxins to be drawn out of the body, which can also stimulate fat loss and reduce cellulite.