Who's to say that cupping & other Eastern modalities are not "legit" methods. So-called "legit" methods, i.e. REST, NSAIDs, physical therapy do not always work. I've been dealing with bursitis along the t-band since January & after 3 months of traditional medical treatments, including physical therapy, there was no improvement. The PT was actually the one who suggested I try acupuncture & with the "eh, it's not going to work but go ahead & try" blessing of my MD, I made an appointment with the MS, L.Ac., LMT who works in conjunction with my PT. Three months later, I'm walking normally, able to sleep on my right side & sleep through the night & am virtually pain-free. The method he used on my thigh? Yup - cupping. The bruises were a minor inconvenience when compared to the relief it brought. I will also tell you that cupping, in conjunction with massage therapy, has also helped the arthritis in my neck which, when it flairs up, causes migraine-like headaches. In the same time period, range of motion in my neck - which was also being addressed by the PT - has gone from 75% to 90% and 1 flair-up which resulted in a less debilitating headache. I'll stick with what's working.