Cupping speeds up blood flow in the treated area, which in turn reduces joint pain, relaxes stiff muscles, and reduces muscle fatigue from training. It also cleanses the body, since the tissue releases waste products, which overall helps heal the body and restore balance and harmony. It’s also good for keeping high blood pressure and respiratory issues like bronchitis under control.
Cupping is a traditional alternative medicine method where a cup made of glass, metal, silicone, bamboo, or horn is placed on the skin, using suction to draw the surface layer of muscle upward. This speeds up blood flow in the area, which helps ease pain, relaxes tense muscles, and reduces stiffness.
Cups are usually placed on the body several at a time, for about 5-15 minutes. There are also forms of therapy where the cup is glided along the body using oil. Cups are usually placed on muscular areas like the back, upper back, glutes, legs, and arms.
Cupping through history
Cupping has been in use since ancient times. The earliest written evidence dates back to 1550 BCE. Some of the more famous historical figures who supported cupping include Hippocrates and the prophet Muhammad. Cupping is also one of the oldest healing methods in China, in use since the 4th century.
Different ways of using cups
There are three different ways cups can be used. The first is wet cupping (also called bloodletting cupping), which I’ve talked about before. With wet cupping, small cuts are made in the skin, and a cup is placed over the spot, which uses suction to draw out blood. It’s believed that this procedure helps flush toxins out of the body and promotes the body’s own healing process. Stationary cupping therapy involves no blood loss — the blood vessels are simply dilated to speed up blood flow. Cupping massage, on the other hand, involves moving the cups along oiled skin.
Is cupping as painful as it looks?
The redness and marks left by cupping can stay for about a week. But according to experts, while cupping causes mild swelling and bruising (which isn’t painful afterward), the procedure itself shouldn’t hurt if done correctly. You may feel a slight pulling sensation, but it isn’t unpleasant, and after a while you won’t even feel the cups anymore. Wet cupping can cause a bit of discomfort due to the small cuts, but since the wounds are superficial, they heal quickly. If you feel any pain at all during a cupping session, let your therapist know right away so they can adjust their technique accordingly. If the skin breaks or becomes inflamed, the procedure should be stopped immediately to prevent further complications.
Does it actually work? The benefits of cupping.
Cupping has been under close public scrutiny for some time now. Many modern doctors believe cupping is just a trick that owes its success to the placebo effect, where the actual treatment doesn’t do anything, but the patient believes so strongly in its effect. There are a handful of studies on the topic, but some of them are incomplete, and many others point to the need for further research. Traditional medicine practitioners, on the other hand, swear by the benefits of this procedure.
Here’s a list of situations that could potentially benefit from using cupping.
Pain:
Cupping is considered a safe and natural way to ease muscle and joint pain. It works by reducing inflammation, speeding up circulation in the area, and affecting the autonomic nervous system, helping reduce the sensation of pain and improve how the client feels overall. One study looking at stationary cupping in people suffering from chronic neck pain found that pain gradually disappeared in the target group over five sessions across two weeks. Study participants also reported that their neck muscles felt more relaxed and their entire upper back area was more mobile. A study done on 70 people found that wet cupping reduces the intensity and frequency of migraines.
Muscle stiffness:
Cupping is also known for improving flexibility and reducing fatigue in muscles that have been trained hard. It also works as a form of myofascial release, which in turn reduces tension and increases muscle mobility.
Respiratory issues:
Respiratory problems are also said to be an area where cupping can be beneficial. Ancient Chinese texts even recommend it for pulmonary tuberculosis.
High blood pressure:
Cupping also has a calming effect on the nervous system, which in turn helps manage hypertension.
Cosmetic benefits:
By stimulating the lymphatic system to remove toxins, cupping is an effective, non-invasive method for reducing the appearance of cellulite. When combined with acupuncture, it may also help with weight management and even reduce acne.
Is cupping safe to use?
While cupping has been around for nearly 3000 years, with an impressive following, it’s still worth approaching with some caution. Beyond the well-known round bruises and mild, temporary discomfort, misuse of cupping carries a risk of burns, blisters, and skin inflammation.
If you haven’t tried cupping before, it’s recommended to start with either stationary or moving cupping, which are less invasive than wet cupping, and to use it for treating smaller issues like mild pain or muscle tension. According to the International Cupping Therapy Association, people with heart or kidney problems, or skin allergies, should avoid cupping. Pregnant women should not have cupping done on the lower body (abdomen, lower back, legs). At this point, the facts about the claimed benefits of cupping remain largely in the realm of folk tradition.
Future research will certainly contribute to cupping’s wider adoption and help prove its effectiveness.
A massage therapist’s take on using cupping
In my own practice, I’ve seen that cupping massage gives very good results specifically for easing strong muscle tension and reducing pain.
Clients often feel noticeable relief already after the first session. If you feel like tension and pain just won’t let up, it’s definitely worth trying cupping massage.
