The use of fire cups has been found in many healing modalities throughout time. The vessels used can be made out of a variety of materials; including glass, bone, and pottery. Heat is introduced inside the vessel which diminishes the oxygen within, creating a vacuum when placed on the skin. In Asian medicine, fire cups can focus on the meridians. Erica uses fire cups to augment myofascial massage. Whereas massage is the compression of the tissues, fire cupping is the expansion of the tissues and therefore offers a contrasting approach.