Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Cupping?TypesProcedureHow Does It Work?BenefitsSide EffectsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Cupping?
Types
Procedure
How Does It Work?
Benefits
Side Effects
Frequently Asked Questions
Cupping therapy, which uses cups to create suction on the skin, is a popular treatment forchronic pain, fatigue, and inflammation. It has been a key part of traditional Middle Eastern and Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
The technique has been gaining traction in the United States due to its noninvasive nature and low cost.
Marcus Chung / Getty Images
Cupping involves placing small cups (glass, bamboo, plastic, silicone, or ceramic) on problem areas of the body and creating suction, which draws fluid into the skin and pulls the tissue slightly up into the cup.
This process increases blood flow, stimulates the immune system, and improves lymphatic system flow. In turn, this may help relax muscles and tissues, relieve pain, and trigger the body’s natural healing process.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, cupping opens skins pores and stimulates blood flow. It is thought to help balance the flow of energy called theqi.Cupping is often used along withacupunctureandmassage therapies.
Cupping therapy is generally safe for many conditions. You may experience a warm, stretching sensation, but the procedure should not hurt. If you feel pain, your practitioner should reduce suction or end the treatment. Potential side effects and contraindications will be discussed later in this article.
Who Should Not Get CuppingCupping is contraindicated for people in these groups or with these conditions:Children under 4 years old and older adults: Very young individuals and older adults have a greater risk of severe marking and blistering.Pregnant people: During pregnancy, cupping should not be applied to the lower back and the lower and upper abdomen to avoid the risk of early contractions. Cupping also should be avoided during the first trimester.Anyone on blood-thinning medications: These people could experience excessive bleeding or bruising with this therapy.People with cancerPeople with organ failurePeople using a pacemakerPeople with strokePeople with areas of active skin infectionsAvoid cupping over veins, arteries, inflamed or injured skin, areas of active skin infections, body orifices, eyes, lymph nodes, varicose veins, bone fractures, or sites of deep vein thrombosis
Who Should Not Get Cupping
Cupping is contraindicated for people in these groups or with these conditions:Children under 4 years old and older adults: Very young individuals and older adults have a greater risk of severe marking and blistering.Pregnant people: During pregnancy, cupping should not be applied to the lower back and the lower and upper abdomen to avoid the risk of early contractions. Cupping also should be avoided during the first trimester.Anyone on blood-thinning medications: These people could experience excessive bleeding or bruising with this therapy.People with cancerPeople with organ failurePeople using a pacemakerPeople with strokePeople with areas of active skin infectionsAvoid cupping over veins, arteries, inflamed or injured skin, areas of active skin infections, body orifices, eyes, lymph nodes, varicose veins, bone fractures, or sites of deep vein thrombosis
Cupping is contraindicated for people in these groups or with these conditions:
Types of Cupping Therapy
During cupping therapy, a therapist applies small, round cups made of glass, plastic, bamboo, or clay to the troubled area. Traditionally, this therapy uses sets of four, six, or 10 cups.
Therapists or health practitioners commonly apply cups to the back, chest, buttocks, and abdomen. The face may be treated as well.
As cupping has become more popular in sports medicine, applying cups to extremities such as the shoulders, thighs, and calves has become more common. Cups remain in place for five to 20 minutes, depending on the reason for cupping or the method used.
The process includes these steps:
Several theories are used to explain how cupping therapy can bring relief, including:
Benefits of Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy has a reputation for easing discomfort and improving quality of life. The following conditions may improve with this treatment:
Does Cupping Bring Relief for Fibromyalgia?
Cupping is generally safe, but you may experience minor side effects during or immediately after cupping therapy. The following conditions typically subside within a few days or weeks:
Be Mindful of Your SkinCupping is not advisable if you have sensitive or fragile skin. In cases of skin trauma, wait until you have improved before beginning or resuming this treatment.
Be Mindful of Your Skin
Cupping is not advisable if you have sensitive or fragile skin. In cases of skin trauma, wait until you have improved before beginning or resuming this treatment.
Cupping also carries a slight risk of infection, especially if the equipment isn’t disinfected between patients. Your practitioner should be following proper cleaning and sanitation guidelines to help you avoid this.
Rare side effects include:
Consult your cupping therapist if you experience any of these side effects. They may advise you on ways to avoid or ease injury.
Summary
Cupping therapy is an age-old practice that increases blood flow, stimulates the immune system, and improves lymphatic flow, which may, in turn, decrease pain levels and improve quality of life. Although temporary red marks may result, the procedure does not normally cause extreme discomfort.
Cupping can stimulate the nerves and blood flow to mask or decrease the feeling of pain. It may also support the body’s own healing capabilities.
This treatment may enhance your healthcare regimen. Cupping has brought relief to people dealing with conditions such as lower back or neck pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other generalized pain disorders. However, a cupping therapist should not replace your primary healthcare provider.
While the risk of injury from cupping is low, it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider before trying any new treatment methods.
How Pain Management Can Treat and Reduce Different Types of Conditions
During dry cupping, no fluid should come out of your skin. Wet cupping does draw out blood, however. Although cupping is believed to draw out toxins, supporting evidence is scarce.
Some people visit a practitioner two or three times weekly for cupping sessions. Depending on the method you use, you may need to give your skin time to recover. Your practitioner can help you determine the best frequency for your condition.
Some states do not require NCCAOM certification. Others may have additional criteria for licensing.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vaccaro M, Coppola M, Ceccarelli M, Montopoli M, Guarneri C.The good and the bad of cupping therapy: case report and review of the literature.European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 2021;25(5):2327-2330. doi:10.26355/eurrev_202103_25266Bridgett R, Klose P, Duffield R, Mydock S, Lauche R.Effects of cupping therapy in amateur and professional athletes: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018;24(3):208-219. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0191Almeida Silva HJ, Barbosa GM, Scattone Silva R, et al.Dry cupping therapy is not superior to sham cupping toimprove clinical outcomes in people with non-specific chronic low back pain: a randomised trial.Journal of Physiotherapy. 2021;67(2):132-139. doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2021.02.013Al-Shidhani A, Al-Mahrezi A.The role of cupping therapy in pain management: a literature review. In: Yashasvi Waisundara V, Banjari I, Balkić J, eds.Pain Management - Practices, Novel Therapies and Bioactives. IntechOpen; 2021. doi:10.5772/intechopen.93851Chirali IZ.What to expect during and after cupping therapy. In:Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping Therapy. Elsevier; 2014:87-90. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-4352-9.00008-4Aboushanab TS, AlSanad S.Cupping therapy: an overview from a modern medicine perspective.J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2018;11(3):83-87. doi:10.1016/j.jams.2018.02.001Chirali IZ.What to expect during and after cupping therapy. In:Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping Therapy. Elsevier; 2014:87-90. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-4352-9.00008-4National University of Health Sciences.Cupping.Lv Z tao, Shen L lin, Zhu B, et al.Effects of intensity of electroacupuncture on chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):120. doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1899-6Saha FJ, Schumann S, Cramer H, et al.The effects of cupping massage in patients with chronic neck pain - a randomised controlled trial.Complement Med Res. 2017;24(1):26-32. doi:0.1159/000454872Yousefi F, Aliasl J, Hashem-Dabaghian F.Non-pharmacologic treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in Persian medicine.Galen Med J. 2020;9:e1725. doi:10.31661/gmj.v9i0.1725Mohandes B, Bayoumi FEA, AllahDiwaya AA, Falah MS, Alhamd LH, Alsawadi RA, Sun Y, Ma A, Sula I, Jihwaprani MC.Cupping therapy for the treatment of migraine headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.J Pharmacopuncture. 2024;27(3):177-189. doi:10.3831/KPI.2024.27.3.177National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Cupping.NCC/AOM.Home page.NCC/AOM.State licensure requirements interactive map.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vaccaro M, Coppola M, Ceccarelli M, Montopoli M, Guarneri C.The good and the bad of cupping therapy: case report and review of the literature.European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 2021;25(5):2327-2330. doi:10.26355/eurrev_202103_25266Bridgett R, Klose P, Duffield R, Mydock S, Lauche R.Effects of cupping therapy in amateur and professional athletes: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018;24(3):208-219. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0191Almeida Silva HJ, Barbosa GM, Scattone Silva R, et al.Dry cupping therapy is not superior to sham cupping toimprove clinical outcomes in people with non-specific chronic low back pain: a randomised trial.Journal of Physiotherapy. 2021;67(2):132-139. doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2021.02.013Al-Shidhani A, Al-Mahrezi A.The role of cupping therapy in pain management: a literature review. In: Yashasvi Waisundara V, Banjari I, Balkić J, eds.Pain Management - Practices, Novel Therapies and Bioactives. IntechOpen; 2021. doi:10.5772/intechopen.93851Chirali IZ.What to expect during and after cupping therapy. In:Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping Therapy. Elsevier; 2014:87-90. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-4352-9.00008-4Aboushanab TS, AlSanad S.Cupping therapy: an overview from a modern medicine perspective.J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2018;11(3):83-87. doi:10.1016/j.jams.2018.02.001Chirali IZ.What to expect during and after cupping therapy. In:Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping Therapy. Elsevier; 2014:87-90. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-4352-9.00008-4National University of Health Sciences.Cupping.Lv Z tao, Shen L lin, Zhu B, et al.Effects of intensity of electroacupuncture on chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):120. doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1899-6Saha FJ, Schumann S, Cramer H, et al.The effects of cupping massage in patients with chronic neck pain - a randomised controlled trial.Complement Med Res. 2017;24(1):26-32. doi:0.1159/000454872Yousefi F, Aliasl J, Hashem-Dabaghian F.Non-pharmacologic treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in Persian medicine.Galen Med J. 2020;9:e1725. doi:10.31661/gmj.v9i0.1725Mohandes B, Bayoumi FEA, AllahDiwaya AA, Falah MS, Alhamd LH, Alsawadi RA, Sun Y, Ma A, Sula I, Jihwaprani MC.Cupping therapy for the treatment of migraine headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.J Pharmacopuncture. 2024;27(3):177-189. doi:10.3831/KPI.2024.27.3.177National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Cupping.NCC/AOM.Home page.NCC/AOM.State licensure requirements interactive map.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Vaccaro M, Coppola M, Ceccarelli M, Montopoli M, Guarneri C.The good and the bad of cupping therapy: case report and review of the literature.European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 2021;25(5):2327-2330. doi:10.26355/eurrev_202103_25266Bridgett R, Klose P, Duffield R, Mydock S, Lauche R.Effects of cupping therapy in amateur and professional athletes: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018;24(3):208-219. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0191Almeida Silva HJ, Barbosa GM, Scattone Silva R, et al.Dry cupping therapy is not superior to sham cupping toimprove clinical outcomes in people with non-specific chronic low back pain: a randomised trial.Journal of Physiotherapy. 2021;67(2):132-139. doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2021.02.013Al-Shidhani A, Al-Mahrezi A.The role of cupping therapy in pain management: a literature review. In: Yashasvi Waisundara V, Banjari I, Balkić J, eds.Pain Management - Practices, Novel Therapies and Bioactives. IntechOpen; 2021. doi:10.5772/intechopen.93851Chirali IZ.What to expect during and after cupping therapy. In:Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping Therapy. Elsevier; 2014:87-90. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-4352-9.00008-4Aboushanab TS, AlSanad S.Cupping therapy: an overview from a modern medicine perspective.J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2018;11(3):83-87. doi:10.1016/j.jams.2018.02.001Chirali IZ.What to expect during and after cupping therapy. In:Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping Therapy. Elsevier; 2014:87-90. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-4352-9.00008-4National University of Health Sciences.Cupping.Lv Z tao, Shen L lin, Zhu B, et al.Effects of intensity of electroacupuncture on chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):120. doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1899-6Saha FJ, Schumann S, Cramer H, et al.The effects of cupping massage in patients with chronic neck pain - a randomised controlled trial.Complement Med Res. 2017;24(1):26-32. doi:0.1159/000454872Yousefi F, Aliasl J, Hashem-Dabaghian F.Non-pharmacologic treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in Persian medicine.Galen Med J. 2020;9:e1725. doi:10.31661/gmj.v9i0.1725Mohandes B, Bayoumi FEA, AllahDiwaya AA, Falah MS, Alhamd LH, Alsawadi RA, Sun Y, Ma A, Sula I, Jihwaprani MC.Cupping therapy for the treatment of migraine headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.J Pharmacopuncture. 2024;27(3):177-189. doi:10.3831/KPI.2024.27.3.177National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Cupping.NCC/AOM.Home page.NCC/AOM.State licensure requirements interactive map.
Vaccaro M, Coppola M, Ceccarelli M, Montopoli M, Guarneri C.The good and the bad of cupping therapy: case report and review of the literature.European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 2021;25(5):2327-2330. doi:10.26355/eurrev_202103_25266
Bridgett R, Klose P, Duffield R, Mydock S, Lauche R.Effects of cupping therapy in amateur and professional athletes: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018;24(3):208-219. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0191
Almeida Silva HJ, Barbosa GM, Scattone Silva R, et al.Dry cupping therapy is not superior to sham cupping toimprove clinical outcomes in people with non-specific chronic low back pain: a randomised trial.Journal of Physiotherapy. 2021;67(2):132-139. doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2021.02.013
Al-Shidhani A, Al-Mahrezi A.The role of cupping therapy in pain management: a literature review. In: Yashasvi Waisundara V, Banjari I, Balkić J, eds.Pain Management - Practices, Novel Therapies and Bioactives. IntechOpen; 2021. doi:10.5772/intechopen.93851
Chirali IZ.What to expect during and after cupping therapy. In:Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping Therapy. Elsevier; 2014:87-90. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-4352-9.00008-4
Aboushanab TS, AlSanad S.Cupping therapy: an overview from a modern medicine perspective.J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2018;11(3):83-87. doi:10.1016/j.jams.2018.02.001
National University of Health Sciences.Cupping.
Lv Z tao, Shen L lin, Zhu B, et al.Effects of intensity of electroacupuncture on chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):120. doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1899-6
Saha FJ, Schumann S, Cramer H, et al.The effects of cupping massage in patients with chronic neck pain - a randomised controlled trial.Complement Med Res. 2017;24(1):26-32. doi:0.1159/000454872
Yousefi F, Aliasl J, Hashem-Dabaghian F.Non-pharmacologic treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in Persian medicine.Galen Med J. 2020;9:e1725. doi:10.31661/gmj.v9i0.1725
Mohandes B, Bayoumi FEA, AllahDiwaya AA, Falah MS, Alhamd LH, Alsawadi RA, Sun Y, Ma A, Sula I, Jihwaprani MC.Cupping therapy for the treatment of migraine headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.J Pharmacopuncture. 2024;27(3):177-189. doi:10.3831/KPI.2024.27.3.177
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Cupping.
NCC/AOM.Home page.
NCC/AOM.State licensure requirements interactive map.
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