Cupping

Cupping may certainly feel odd, especially for first-time patients. And while the suction provides pressure, it shouldn’t be painful. Your practitioner will constantly check in with you during the cupping process to ensure you are not experiencing undue comfort.

Cupping therapy hasn’t been studied extensively by modern medicine. The few studies that have been conducted do note that cupping may have some positive outcomes for certain disorders. Cupping may also be more effective alongside complementary pain management treatments, including acupuncture, massage and medication.

A cupping therapy session can take up to an hour, but the cups aren’t applied and providing suction the entire time. Cupping therapy typically also starts and ends with massage, and it takes some time to properly apply the cups. Depending on the conditions being treated and the needs and preferences of the individual patient, cups may only be in place on the skin for a few minutes or up to around 15 minutes.

Because cupping tends to treat symptoms of a condition and not the condition itself, it likely won’t provide a permanent solution. Like medication, massage and other treatments, cupping therapy may provide temporary relief and need to be repeated on a periodic basis. Again, this depends on the individual and the conditions or symptoms are being treated.

The suction and force cupping puts on the body does break small blood vessels under the skin, which can result in bruising. These marks can last for a few weeks depending on skin tone and how fast someone heals. Cupping may also cause temporary soreness. Otherwise, the practice is generally considered safe, especially when performed by an experienced professional in a medical setting.

Less common but potential side effects of cupping include skin infections or scarring, nausea, headaches and fatigue. Working with an experienced practitioner with safe, approved cupping equipment helps reduce the risks of some of these side effects.

Cupping can be a greater risk for individuals with certain conditions. If you have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia, you should not undergo cupping. Some skin conditions, a history of stroke or blood clotting disorders, and epilepsy are also reasons you may not want to undergo cupping. Research is still relatively light on the impact of cupping on pregnancy, so pregnant women should always speak with their provider before undergoing the treatment. 

After a cupping therapy session, practitioners may provide ointment or even cover the area that was cupped — especially if it was a wet cupping session. Other than following any directions in caring for those areas, there’s generally not a recovery period following cupping therapy. You should avoid showering immediately as hot water can increase bruising, and you should drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.

Cupping is used to treat pain and other conditions. Some people turn to cupping as a way to treat pain without medication.

Medical science doesn’t have complete answers about why cupping works for some people, but theories include the fact that it promotes blood flow and may remove toxins from the skin and pores.

Some conditions that cupping therapy may provide relief for include:

• Pain in the back, neck, shoulder or knee
• Certain types of headaches, including migraines
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Certain types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis
• Certain digestive issues, including irritable bowel syndrome
• Some respiratory issues, including asthma
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Acne and some other skin issues
• Potential conditions such as cervical spondylosis
• Mood disorders, including depression and anxiety