Patrick Bailey

Have you heard about cupping? Or maybe you have seen those circles on people’s backs on Instagram and been curious?

Cupping is an ancient therapy technique where a vessel is placed atop the skin. Suction is generated, either via heat or a pumping action. Blood flow increases to the area, either speeding healing or helping with detoxification.

The earliest mention of the practice dates back to the ancient Egyptian Papyrus Ebers from 1550 BC. It was also performed in China more than 2,000 years ago. The ancient Greeks and physicians in the Middle East also suggested cupping as a form of therapy.

For centuries it’s been used as a treatment for countless ailments: Indigestion, headaches, back pain, abscesses, lung diseases, and more.

What Is Cupping?

There are two types of cupping: Dry and wet.

Dry is noninvasive: suction is created on the skin and blood flow is directed there to do its magic. It’ll either be heated quickly, followed with the open side placed on the skin, or rubber pumps can be used to create suction. The vacuum pressure that results pulls the skin into the cup (and sometimes muscle, depending on how large the vessel is). The cup is held in place for a few minutes before being released. Bruising may follow, lasting for a week or two.

Wet cupping is more complex: It involves blood-letting. That gets further broken down into two techniques:

• Traditional: This is practiced more in China, Korea, and Germany. This involves two steps: First cutting or puncturing the area being treated, then cupping it to draw out blood.

• Al-hijamah: The name is derived from the Arabic word hajm, meaning sucking, expanding, and bloodletting. It is practiced mostly in the Middle East and North Africa. This method includes three steps: cupping, puncturing or cutting, followed by more cupping.

Some proponents of wet cupping suggest it acts something like an artificial kidney, pulling toxins to the area. The cutting and bleeding then releases those toxins and improves immunity while fighting inflammation. One study also tried wet cupping to remove excess iron (and possibly other heavy metals) from the body, with results that were promising enough to prompt further exploration.

There is another form of dry cupping that also gets mentioned: Moving cupping. It mimics more of a massage in that oil is applied to the skin, then a cup is placed on top. A slight suction will be created; then the cup can be slid over the skin, massaging and tugging as it is moved along.

Sometimes acupuncture also is performed along with cupping.

What Conditions Does Cupping Treat?

The scientific jury is still out on cupping. In its favor, perhaps, is that it’s been practiced for thousands of years. Ancient Chinese medicine posited that it helps relieve blocked Qi, or vital energy and bodily fluids (blood, lymph).  Cupping has been used to treat a number of conditions, however, from pain to pimples. Some issues it’s been used to treat include:

• Congestion, especially from a cold or asthma

• Detoxing, to help clear acne or hives

• Muscle spasms 

• Digestive issues, such as constipation

• Aches and pains, including from arthritis 

• Migraines

• High cholesterol

Some believe it can help with immune function, too. As an alternative therapy it may also be a good complement to traditional drug and alcohol addiction treatments. More often it is paired with acupuncture in those cases.

Are There Risks?

Generally cupping is seen as relatively safe. Some people love the feel; others loathe it.

Bruising will be inevitable, but it fades within two weeks. There can be a chance of a skin infection, but that tends to be an exception rather than a rule. Wet cupping in particular carries a slight risk of skin scarring. Some patients report feeling a bit lightheaded or nauseated shortly after a cupping session. People with pre-existing conditions should check with their doctor before proceeding. Cupping isn’t advised for people with frail skin (including a sunburn). People on blood thinners, blood disorders, or cancer should steer clear. So should seniors, young children, and pregnant or menstruating individuals.

One thing to note is that there is no certifying organization for cupping. It’s best to look into someone’s background and experience before proceeding (and handing over hard-earned cash).

That said, a few studies point to there being some potential benefits to cupping, including helping with pain and some skin issues. Others aren’t so sure, believing the placebo effect may be a factor. There remain many unknowns. Ideally, more studies will be done to get to the truth of the matter.

So, have you ever tried cupping? Share your experience with us in the comments! 

Patrick Bailey is a professional writer mainly in the fields of mental health, addiction, and living in recovery. He attempts to stay on top of the latest news in the addiction and the mental health world and enjoy writing about these topics to break the stigma associated with them.