It was once popular with the ancient Chinese and Egyptians and recently became beloved by Olympians and A-list celebrities.
Now the alternative health practice - cupping therapy - is proving popular in Norwich.
The owner of a new cupping clinic, Tanina Sendjakedine, said the first few months since opening has been “amazing”.
Tanina Sendjakedine owns The Hijama Nurse (Image: Tanina Sendjakedine)
The 29-year-old nurse launched her business in April and, along with wet and dry cupping, offers sports massages and vitamin shots.
She said: "Cupping therapy helps increase blood flow to areas of the body that are experiencing pain.
"With dry cupping, a cup is placed on the skin and acts as a suction.
"Hijama - also known as wet cupping - is when we break the skin to draw the blood out."
The clinic has recently moved to the ground floor of the Sackfield Place office block (Image: Tanina Sendjakedine)
Although little scientific evidence exists to back up practitioners’ claims to its health benefits, cupping has gained a following from top athletes, including the Italian gold medallist swimmer Nicolo Martinenghi, and A-list celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow.
Customers visiting Tanina's clinic for cupping therapy should expect to have a cup placed on an area of their body before a suction device is used to remove the air and attach it to the skin.
They are then left for around five to 10 minutes as the blood is drawn to the cupped area.
Despite the sound and appearance of cupping, Tanina promises that it "isn't painful."
She added that it can be used to treat a range of health problems, including migraines, arthritis and fibromyalgia – making it popular with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
READ MORE: Plans for expansion of GP surgery given green-light
Tanina said: "The business has done really well so far.
The practice is proving increasingly popular in Norwich (Image: Tanina Sendjakedine)
"We are seeing a huge resurgence in people using ancient remedies like this to help manage their pain.
"We have a lot of boxers and footballers coming to us for treatment.
"We also treat a lot of older patients, who want to turn to traditional methods to manage pain than taking modern medicines.
The cups help increase blood flow to areas of the body (Image: Tanina Sendjakedine)
"Our appointments are booking up very quickly now - it has been a really exciting time for us."
The clinic offers solo appointments but has seen a surge in couples asking to undergo the treatment together.
Those looking to try the cupping therapy can contact The Hijama Nurse on Instagram.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel