Cupping Therapy: Explained
Over the past several years, you may have seen athletes or celebrities walking around with dark, circular marks on their skin. They look like bruises (or bizarre hickies), but what are they really?
These are marks from cupping therapy! If you haven’t experienced the wonders of cupping yet, or want to know why cupping feels so relieving and helpful, here is a quick exploration of what is happening under the surface.
What is cupping?
Cupping is a therapeutic technique which uses cups to apply suction to the skin, increasing local blood flow and releasing restrictions in the soft tissues. Research has shown that cupping can decrease pain in areas treated, increase range of motion, and even help with such conditions as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and plantar heel pain.
The use of cupping has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine, in the Muslim community worldwide as well as in other cultures, and has been used for centuries for a wide variety of healing purposes. Chinese medicine practitioners, acupuncturists, physical therapists and massage therapists are among those who utilize this easy, low-cost technique to achieve a wide range of results in their practices.
How does it work?
Most of the cupping you will encounter in the United States is known as “dry cupping,” wherein cups (usually made of plastic, glass, or flexible silicone) are used to suction skin, either in a gliding manner, or placed in static position for a number of minutes. The cup’s suction decompresses tissues and simultaneously increases blood flow to the surface of the skin in the area being cupped.
There are many theories about the mechanisms behind why cupping decreases pain, increases range of motion, and achieves other reported benefits, and research is ongoing to more fully understand this ancient technique. According to an overview of cupping therapy in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies:
“There is converging evidence that cupping can induce comfort and relaxation on a systemic level and the resulting increase in endogenous opioid production in the brain leads to improved pain control. Other researchers proposed that the main action of cupping therapy is to enhance the circulation of blood and to remove toxins and waste from the body.”
In my massage practice, I use flexible silicone cups on areas of pain or restriction alongside massage techniques like Deep Tissue and Myofascial work. Cupping can increase range of motion where it is restricted (such as in the shoulder or neck), and to relieve pain and stiffness in muscles and other tissues. Cupping in combination with massage is a powerful tool - and my clients love the results!
What about the marks?
Because blood flow is increased in the area where cupping is applied, there can be some marking (see the cover photo for this post). These marks are not bruises, but they do present as a darkening/red-purpling of the skin. These marks can last a number of days, so I always check with clients to make sure that they are fine with the potential for sporting some fun circular marks for a bit!
Is cupping safe?
Cupping therapy is a safe and low-risk technique, but it is not always suitable for everyone. If someone has hemophilia, certain blood or clotting disorders, organ failure, cancer, a pacemaker and certain other heart conditions, or is pregnant, cupping may be inadvisable. Client safety is a top priority, so I will always review a client’s medical conditions and obtain their consent before doing any cupping.
Does cupping hurt?
Cupping should not be painful, and can always be modified to make sure that there is no discomfort or pain. Many people - including myself - find a mild, pleasurable discomfort from cupping which fades into relief and relaxation as the tissues release under the cups. As blood flows into the decompressed muscles, tension feels like it just melts away.
Some soreness can occur in the day or two after cupping (as is sometimes the case with Deep Tissue massage). Making sure to drink plenty of water before and after the massage and cupping will be tremendously helpful to decrease how sore the cupped areas may be.
Want to experience cupping for yourself?
Book a Therapeutic Massage or Massage & Craniosacral Blend Session with me today! (Click here for easy, 24/7 online booking). Cupping can be included in your session at no extra cost - yup, it’s a FREE addition that can maximize the relief and effectiveness of your massage.
During our intake, simply let me know that you want to include cupping - and feel free to ask any questions you may have about it as well. I love to educate curious clients, and I want you to know the full benefits of the work we do!
Works Cited:
Aboushanab, Tamer S., and Saud AlSanad. “Cupping Therapy: An Overview from a Modern Medicine Perspective.” Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, vol. 11, no. 3, June 2018, pp. 83–87, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2018.02.001.
Al-Bedah, Abdullah M.N., et al. “The Medical Perspective of Cupping Therapy: Effects and Mechanisms of Action.” Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, vol. 9, no. 2, Apr. 2019, pp. 90–97, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6435947/, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.03.003.
AlKhadhrawi, Nazar, and Ali Alshami. “Effects of Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Cupping on Pain and Function in Patients with Plantar Heel Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, vol. 23, no. 3, July 2019, pp. 532–538, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.05.016.
Cramer, Holger, et al. “Cupping for Patients with Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” The Journal of Pain, vol. 21, no. 9-10, Sept. 2020, pp. 943–956, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2020.01.002.
Kim, Seoyoun, et al. “Is Cupping Therapy Effective in Patients with Neck Pain? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” BMJ Open, vol. 8, no. 11, 1 Nov. 2018, p. e021070, bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/8/11/e021070, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021070.
Mohammadi, Shirin, et al. “The Effects of Cupping Therapy as a New Approach in the Physiotherapeutic Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.” Physiotherapy Research International, vol. 24, no. 3, 29 Jan. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.1770.
Moura, Caroline de Castro, et al. “Cupping Therapy and Chronic Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, vol. 26, no. 0, 14 Nov. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6248735/pdf/0104-1169-rlae-26-e3094.pdf, https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.2888.3094.
Nasb, Mohammad, et al. “Dry Cupping, Ischemic Compression, or Their Combination for the Treatment of Trigger Points: A Pilot Randomized Trial.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 26, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2020, pp. 44–50, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6983744/, https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0231.
Teut, M., et al. “Pulsatile Dry Cupping in Chronic Low Back Pain – a Randomized Three-Armed Controlled Clinical Trial.” BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 18, no. 1, 2 Apr. 2018, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2187-8.