What is Cupping?

Cupping is an ancient healing therapy that has been used for many centuries, mostly in China and the Middle East, to alleviate pain in the body. Recently, cupping has been made popular in the United States by athletes and celebrities. The most common form of cupping (“dry cupping”) is done by placing a cup directly onto the skin using a suction technique. Typically, a glass cup is wiped with alcohol, then set aflame in order to cause oxygen to leave the cup and cause negative pressure to build up in the cup. The glass cup is then place directly onto the skin, with the lack of oxygen producing a suction effect on the skin. Cupping is supposed to draw fluid to the area of pain or inflammation, which causes the notorious “bruises” on the skin after the therapy is completed. These discolorations are caused by broken blood vessels just underneath the surface of the skin. Your body automatically treats this as an injury, and therefore sends more blood to the area to increase the healing process of the muscles, tissues, and skin. It is also theorized that cupping clears pores in the area and removes toxins from the body.

So Does Cupping Actually Work?

Many athletes swear by cupping, stating that it truly does help with muscle pain and reduces recovery time. However, there is limited research on the actual effectiveness and benefits of cupping. Researchers don’t know whether cupping is just a placebo effects or whether it actually offers therapeutic benefits to the body. A 2015 review found that cupping might provide relief from chronic neck or back pain, but the quality of evidence was too limited to draw firm conclusions. In addition to providing relief from neck and back pain, advocates of cupping also say it can be used for skin conditions such as hives or acne, lowering cholesterol, migraines, knee arthritis, sciatica, and improving immune function. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cupping is believed to be a treatment that strengthen’s the body’s resistance, restores balance between positive and negative forces, removes disease-causing factors, and promotes blood circulation.

Who Performs Cupping & What Should I Expect?

A variety of healthcare professionals can receive training in cupping including medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, and massage therapists. Cupping is most often accompanied with muscle work, such as a massage, or even acupuncture. The treatment itself should be painless - the only thing that may be felt is pressure when the cup is placed onto the skin. There are little side effects of cupping but you may experience nausea, muscle soreness, headache, or fatigue. Cupping is contraindicated for pregnant women or people who have hemophilia, a history of strokes or seizures, or skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. After the procedure, the discolorations tend fade within a week or two.