Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc, is a board-certified acupuncturist, herbalist, and integrative medicine doctor practicing in Santa Monica, California.

Cupping therapy, which uses cups to create suction on the skin, is a popular treatment for muscle tension, chronic pain, fatigue, and inflammation. It has been a key part of traditional Middle Eastern and Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

Ancient Egyptians used cupping over 5,500 years ago, and the therapy spread to cultures around the world. The 2016 Olympic Games helped raise awareness worldwide when U.S. athletes bore cupping suction marks on their backs.

The technique has been gaining traction in the United States due to its noninvasive nature and low cost.

This article discusses the history and purpose of cupping therapy. It also covers types, benefits, risks, and what to expect during a cupping therapy session.

Cupping involves placing small cups on troubled areas of the body and creating suction to pull the tissue up slightly. This may help relax muscles and tissues, relieve pain, and trigger the body's natural healing processes.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, cupping opens skins pores and stimulates blood flow. It is thought to help balance the flow of energy called the qi . Cupping is often used along with acupuncture and massage 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.

Cupping techniques vary by suction method, suction power, the area treated, other materials used with the cups, and other factors. Techniques include:

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 commonly apply cups to the back, chest, buttocks, and abdomen. The face may be treated, too. Cups remain in place for five to 20 minutes.

The process includes these steps:

Several theories are used to explain how cupping therapy can bring relief, including:

Cupping therapy has a reputation for easing discomfort and improving quality of life. The following conditions may improve with this treatment:

Cupping therapy also shows potential to treat:

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:

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.

Consult your cupping therapist if you experience any of these side effects. They may advise you on ways to avoid or ease injury.

Before your cupping session, eat a light meal about two hours ahead to help ensure you’ll have energy stores. It is best not to do cupping on an empty stomach, when the body may be weaker than normal. On the other hand, a full stomach may make your session uncomfortable.

Avoid greasy foods and increase your water intake to help with detoxifying your body.

Cupping therapy is an age-old practice to help ease tension, chronic pain, and inflammation. It uses special cups that stretch and relax the skin and muscles. 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 fatigue, migraines, high blood pressure, and a host of respiratory conditions. However, a cupping therapist should not replace your primary healthcare provider.

It is frustrating to manage chronic pain or a condition like fibromyalgia, migraine, or high blood pressure. Many people try a broad selection of treatments before finding something that helps them with the pain. Cupping can be a helpful complementary treatment in some of these cases.

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.

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.

Acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical trainers may offer cupping therapy. Make sure that your cupping practitioner is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Some states do not require NCCAOM certification. Others may have additional criteria for licensing.

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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

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

Science Direct. Cupping therapy-an overview.

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

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Cupping.

NCC/AOM. State licensure requirements interactive map. 

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