Have you recently noticed a circular mark on the back of a certain athlete? If you've been following some of them and noticed these strange bruises, there's a good chance they've been attending a cupping therapy session.One This ancient treatment gained widespread attention after Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was discovered with cupping marks on his shoulder while competing in the 2016 Olympics.2
But what is cupping therapy? According to The Hearty Soul, this is essentially a technique where you place a cup on your back or another part of your body. Then vacuum the air out of the cup and suck the skin and fascia upwards into the cup. This leaves the iconic circular mark, but it doesn't hurt as much as it looks.three In fact, it is inhalation that promotes healing.
The Rich History of Cupping Therapy
Although its origins are unclear, historians believe cupping originated in various parts of Asia and Africa. Records dating back 5,500 years show that the Egyptians practiced this method and later introduced it to the Greeks.4
Hippocrates, considered the father of modern medicine, was a famous proponent of cupping therapy. He was known to use two cups. The first cups had narrow mouths and long handles and were used to hold liquids. The second cup had a wider opening and was used for pain management.5
Cupping also has a strong presence in Islamic culture. Called 'Hijama' in Arabic6 It is still popular today due to its religious significance. According to Muslim teachings, the Prophet Muhammad recommended cupping because of its healing properties.7
Additionally, cupping therapy is related to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The following is an account of the history of cupping therapy in China, according to one study:8 Published in 2011:
“This ancient treatment has deep historical roots in Chinese civilization and has been an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries. The first record of cupping in China is found in Baoshu, a book written on silk discovered in an ancient tomb from the Han Dynasty. In China, there is a proverb that says, ‘More than half of the diseases can be cured with acupuncture and cupping.’”
Despite their differing histories, one thing is clear. Cupping has been used extensively to help patients recover.
Different Cupping Methods
As cupping spread, more practitioners refined it and came up with new variations suitable for a variety of applications. According to one study9 The first form of cupping, published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Research, distinguished only two types: wet cupping and dry cupping. But as more information became available, researchers learned that it applied in other ways. Here is a breakdown of all known categories:
As you can see, the sheer number of categories makes it quite difficult to become familiar with all available cupping methods. But for beginners, The Hearty Soul recommends sticking to four main cupping methods:11
- Dry cupping — This is a basic cupping method that involves placing a cup on the skin for about 10 minutes to dilate blood vessels and make them red. Glass cups are mainly used.
- Wet Cupping — This is the second cupping session following the first dry cupping. Once the cupping marks are created, a scalpel (or needle) is used to make small incisions or piercings in the skin. Afterwards, cupping is performed once more to drain blood from the incision site. The philosophy behind this is that toxins are expelled as they escape.
- Fire cupping — Soak a cotton swab in an alcohol solution and secure it with forceps under the glass cup. When the cup is heated, a vacuum is created inside the cup. Remove the swab and quickly place the cup on your skin. This is the most dangerous method because if alcohol accidentally falls on the inside or rim, it can burn your skin. This should only be performed by an experienced Oriental medicine practitioner.
- Moving cupping — First, apply oil to your skin. It then creates suction in the cup and then glides around the body, acting as a form of massage therapy. Silicone cups are typically used to allow for smoother movement over the skin.
How Cupping Helps You Heal
Suction is at the heart of cupping therapy and what promotes healing. According to a report in the South China Morning Post,12
“Cupping is believed to stimulate the flow of chi, the vital energy or ‘life force’ that circulates through our bodies, according to Oriental medicine. TCM practitioners believe that when qi is disrupted or disturbed, 'blockages' or imbalances can occur in the body. The purpose of cupping is to remove these blockages and restore the flow of life energy.”
Here's the analysis.13 According to TCM practitioner Ruth Lee, the basic process is as follows:
- A vacuum is created inside the cup by burning the oxygen inside the glass cup or sucking air from the top of the plastic cup.
- The cup is then quickly placed on the selected acupuncture point on the patient's skin and a vacuum is used to pull the skin up to the cup.
- The low pressure inside the cup mobilizes the free flow of qi and blood around the body through channels known as meridians. This process promotes the elimination of toxins and ultimately restores balance to the body.
- The inhalation effect destroys small blood vessels beneath the skin, causing slight discoloration of the area.
In TCM, it is believed that the body is designed to function as one whole organism, and this is further reinforced through the concept of meridians. These pathways spread throughout the body and connect organs, joints, and limbs.14 Yin and yang (two opposing energies) in the body through cupping therapy.15) can help you achieve balance, allow your Qi to flow freely, and achieve better health.
What can cupping therapy be used for?
As previously mentioned, the longevity and fame of cupping lies in its ability to help treat a variety of conditions. By applying modern research methods, researchers have been able to observe how cupping can heal the following conditions:
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Anxiety – Cupping therapy has been used to manage mental illnesses that can reduce quality of life. In the case report16 Published in 2018, the 39-year-old man had already been suffering from panic disorder for five years and was taking medication for his condition. Over the next 15 months, he underwent seven cupping sessions. In the first week, he already saw a decrease in his panic disorder symptoms. By the end of the study, he had already stopped using the drug and was experiencing no seizures. Researchers concluded that cupping therapy may help with anxiety disorders. |
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Exercise Recovery — Cupping in athletes has led to research into cupping therapy, and studies have shown that their claims may have some merit. According to a 2022 study, “At appropriate cupping intensities, it can improve sports performance and reduce muscle fatigue and pain by reducing muscle stiffness.”17 |
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Back pain – Chronic back pain is one of the most common medical conditions not only in the United States but also around the world. According to a 2020 study, there are more than 500 million cases of back pain worldwide. This number is expected to reach 800 million by 2050.18 If you have back pain, you may want to try cupping therapy for relief. In a 2018 study,19 Researchers recruited 60 participants who had suffered from chronic back pain for more than three months and administered a single cupping therapy session. After one week, participants reported positive changes in pain intensity and disability and improved sleep quality. Another study,20 A meta-analysis published in Brazil found similar results. A total of 26 papers showed that cupping therapy had a positive effect on chronic back pain. |
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) — CTS, an orthopedic condition caused by compression of the wrist meridian nerves, causes weakness in the hands, causing the person to drop objects. Tingling and numbness may also occur.21 For people suffering from this condition, cupping therapy may be a viable treatment option. In a study published in 2019, researchers selected 56 hands from people diagnosed with CTS and divided them into two groups: a control group, which received physical therapy alone, and a test group, which received physical therapy along with cupping therapy. Results showed that the test group showed significant improvement in symptoms along with distal sensory latency, a test that typically determines how long it takes the wrist to respond after being stimulated by electrodes.22 |
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Knee Osteoarthritis – This degenerative disease is usually caused by wear and tear of the cartilage. In some cases, knee joints may deteriorate due to factors such as accidents or rheumatoid arthritis. Either way, characteristic symptoms include pain in the knee joint as well as stiffness and swelling.23 According to meta-analysis24 Despite weak evidence, cupping therapy may still be a viable option for patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, according to a study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. |
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Shingles – Also known as shingles, this disease is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. Therefore, you are more likely to get infected if you have had chickenpox before.25 Shingles causes blisters on small areas of the skin, but published evidence suggests that cupping, especially the wet approach, may help relieve symptoms. In a meta-analysis26 In eight randomized controlled trials involving a total of 651 patients, wet cupping showed promising benefits for people diagnosed with shingles. To test the healing effect, cupping was performed after piercing the lesion with a needle beforehand. The researchers concluded that wet cupping may be a better alternative to therapeutic medications because it helps manage pain and symptoms better than medications.27 |
Safety Reminder for Cupping Therapy
If you want to try cupping, you may be concerned that patches of skin will be pulled upward, leaving circular marks.28 But don't be discouraged.29,30 Cupping is generally safe for adults as long as it is done properly.
However, there are also some safety reminders to keep in mind. According to TCM practitioner Dr. Troy Sing,31 The cup should not be applied to areas of broken skin, arteries, veins, lymph nodes, eyes, holes or fractures. If done correctly, any remaining suction will usually go away within 24 hours. However, if you feel faint, bruised, sweaty or dizzy, stop the session immediately.
Sing advises finding an experienced professional who specializes in cupping techniques. Additionally, it is best to refrain from cupping if any of the following apply to you:32
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pregnant |
elderly |
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Diagnosed with hemophilia |
I am currently taking blood thinners. |
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blood disease |
Edema, a buildup of fluid under the skin33 |
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Currently diagnosed with cancer |
organ failure |
