Cupping therapy acupuncture has fascinating roots that stretch back over 3,500 years to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. In fact, one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus from 1550 B.C., documents how ancient Egyptians used this technique for treating various ailments including fever, pain, and menstrual problems. Many of us first became aware of this practice after seeing the distinctive purplish circles on swimmer Michael Phelps during the 2016 Olympics.
What is cupping therapy? It’s an ancient healing practice that involves creating suction on the skin using specialized cups. The technique works by improving blood flow, reducing pain, and boosting the immune system. Although cupping fell out of favor in the West during the 1800s as medicine became more scientifically focused, it experienced a resurgence when it was established as an official therapeutic practice in Chinese hospitals in the 1950s. Today, we see cupping therapy used to address an impressive range of conditions from back and neck pains to anxiety, fatigue, migraines, and even cellulite. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind this time-tested practice and why it continues to gain popularity in modern wellness circles.
What is cupping therapy and how does it work?
Cupping therapy represents a therapeutic technique that uses suction force created beneath specialized vessels applied to the skin’s surface. This ancient practice draws blood to specific areas, which practitioners believe helps release toxins and promote healing.
Origins in traditional medicine
The practice of cupping dates back approximately 5,500 years to ancient Egyptians and Macedonians. Historically, the Egyptians introduced this method to the Greeks, who eventually adopted it as a cure for numerous ailments. Throughout centuries, cupping spread across multiple civilizations, appearing in Chinese, Roman, and Islamic medical texts.
Initially, healers used hollowed-out animal horns to treat boils and extract venom from snake bites. Over time, cupping gained spiritual and cultural significance. In traditional Eastern medicine, it was closely associated with acupuncture and used to harmonize Qi by balancing Yin and Yang energies. Meanwhile, in Ayurvedic medicine, a similar blood detoxification technique called Ghati yantra emerged.
Modern cupping techniques
Modern cupping encompasses several classifications based on technique, suction power, and application method. The two primary categories are dry and wet cupping.
Dry cupping involves applying cups to the skin without breaking it, whereas wet cupping (also called hijama) requires making small incisions before applying suction to draw blood. Other variations include:
- Flash cupping: quick repeated applications with minimal retention
- Running cupping: moving cups across oiled skin
- Pulsatile cupping: using mechanical devices to create rhythmic suction
Furthermore, cupping can be categorized by suction strength (light, medium, strong), treatment area, and additional therapies combined with the practice.
How suction is created
Practitioners generate suction through three primary methods:
First, fire cupping involves briefly igniting a flammable substance inside the cup to consume oxygen and create negative pressure. Once the flame is removed and the cup placed on skin, the cooling air contracts, pulling skin upward.
Second, manual pumping requires compressing cups by hand or with mechanical devices before placing them on the skin. The pressure release creates the vacuum effect.
Third, electrical pumping utilizes motorized vacuum devices to generate consistent negative pressure inside the cup.
Common materials used
Cupping instruments have evolved significantly from their primitive origins. Initially, animal horns served as the primary vessels. Subsequently, practitioners adopted bamboo cups, which gradually gave way to more modern materials.
Today’s cups are commonly made from glass, plastic, silicone, metal, or ceramic. Each material offers distinct advantages: glass cups allow practitioners to observe skin reactions, silicone cups conform better to contoured body areas, while plastic cups with hand pumps provide controlled suction levels. The cup size typically ranges from one to two inches in diameter, with larger massage cups available for broader treatment areas.
Types of cupping and their unique effects
The practice of cupping therapy offers multiple techniques, each with distinct applications and therapeutic outcomes. Practitioners choose specific methods based on patient needs, treatment goals, and the condition being addressed.
Dry cupping
Dry cupping represents the most common and straightforward approach to this therapy. In this technique, cups are placed directly on the skin to create suction without any incisions. Typically, practitioners leave these cups in place for 5-10 minutes. The vacuum effect pulls skin upward, enhancing blood circulation throughout the treated area. Notably, dry cupping is generally painless and primarily used for reducing muscle stiffness, promoting relaxation, and managing pain.
Wet cupping
Wet cupping, additionally known as Hijama in some cultures, involves a more complex procedure. After initial suction, the practitioner makes small incisions or punctures on the skin before applying cups again to draw out blood. This two-step process (sometimes three-step in Al-Hijama) is believed to remove toxins and stagnant blood. According to one study, wet cupping may help the kidneys clear heavy metals from the body. This technique often leaves round bruises that typically clear within 10 days.
Flash cupping
Flash cupping involves rapid application and removal of cups. Instead of leaving cups in place, practitioners quickly apply and remove them repeatedly (up to 50 times) on specific areas. This quick-release method lasts approximately 5-30 seconds per application. This approach primarily improves oxygen supply, increases blood circulation, and relieves muscle tension without leaving traditional circular marks.
Running cupping
Running cupping combines elements of massage with cupping therapy. Prior to cup application, practitioners apply oil or lotion to the skin, consequently allowing the cups to glide smoothly across treatment areas. The cups move in various directions, creating a massage-like effect that particularly benefits tight muscles and improves tissue flexibility.
Facial and sports cupping
Specialized applications include facial cupping, which uses smaller, softer silicone cups to improve circulation, reduce puffiness, and promote collagen production. Sports cupping, on the other hand, focuses on athletic performance and recovery by targeting muscle groups before or after physical activity. These specialized techniques utilize gentler suction and different cup materials suited to their specific purposes.
Scientific theories behind cupping therapy
While practitioners have used cupping therapy for millennia, scientists are now unraveling the physiological mechanisms behind its therapeutic effects. Currently, several evidence-based theories explain how this ancient practice delivers modern health benefits.
Increased blood circulation
The negative pressure created during cupping dilates topical capillaries and increases dermal blood flow. This enhanced circulation helps deliver oxygen and nutrients while expediting waste removal from tissues. Research demonstrates that higher negative pressure (-300 mmHg) causes significantly greater peak skin blood flow (16.7 times baseline) compared to lower pressure (-225 mmHg, 11.1 times baseline). Moreover, shorter application duration (5 minutes) produces larger blood flow responses than longer sessions (10 minutes).
Stimulation of immune response
Cupping therapy activates the immune system through multiple pathways:
- Creating artificial local inflammation that irritates the immune system
- Activating the complementary system
- Increasing levels of immune products like interferon and tumor necrotizing factor
Specifically, cupping significantly enhances both biochemical and mechanical immune responses, potentially reducing viral loads by altering local blood composition—decreasing lymphocytes while increasing neutrophils.
Pain-gate control theory
Essentially, cupping stimulates large nerve fibers, which inhibits pain signal transmission to the brain via the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. This mechanism works because touch and pressure sensations travel along fast-conducting A-β fibers that effectively “close the gate” to pain signals carried by slower A-δ and C fibers. The resulting pain relief happens without medication or invasive procedures.
Nitric oxide and vascular effects
Research suggests cupping triggers increased production of nitric oxide (NO) from endothelial cells. This important signaling molecule controls blood flow, volume, and vasodilation. Indeed, experimental trials have shown increased expression of NO synthase enzymes around skin acupuncture points. Since cupping and acupuncture share similar physiological effects, both likely induce NO-mediated vasodilation.
Lymphatic drainage and detoxification
Beyond blood circulation, cupping therapy significantly impacts lymphatic flow. The negative pressure helps drain excess fluids containing cellular waste, toxins, and inflammatory mediators. Ultimately, this improved lymphatic drainage can reduce swelling, facilitate detoxification, and support immune function. The thymus-stimulating effect of cupping further enhances lymphatic circulation throughout the body.
Benefits of cupping therapy for specific conditions
Research reveals numerous evidence-based benefits from cupping therapy across various health conditions. Many patients turn to this ancient practice as a complementary approach alongside conventional treatments for several specific ailments.
Chronic pain and inflammation
Cupping therapy offers considerable relief for various pain-related disorders. Studies show it effectively treats chronic pain, knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, neck pain, and herpes zoster. The increased blood flow to muscles helps relax them, reduce stiffness, and alleviate pain. In carpal tunnel syndrome, cupping may significantly decrease pain and improve function. This therapy works through several pain relief mechanisms, like triggering micro-trauma that stimulates healing processes.
Skin conditions like acne and eczema
For dermatological issues, cupping shows promising results. Patients with acne vulgaris treated with wet cupping and herbal masks demonstrated greater clinical improvement (94.7%) than control groups (61.1%). Likewise, wet cupping achieved an 89.1% effectiveness rate treating acute eczema versus 42.9% with conventional treatments. One case report noted a 30-year-old psoriasis patient achieving 90% remission after cupping treatment. However, caution is advised for eczema patients with excoriated or infected skin.
Respiratory issues such as asthma
Approximately 334 million people worldwide suffer from asthma, with numbers projected to reach 400 million by 2025. Cupping therapy has emerged as an alternative treatment for those unresponsive to standard medications. Studies confirm it can quickly improve symptoms in asthma patients not sensitive to corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Furthermore, it helps relieve allergies and sinus congestion by improving respiratory function and reducing inflammation.
Mental health: anxiety and stress
Beyond physical benefits, cupping therapy positively impacts mental wellbeing. It reduces stress levels by easing muscle tension, promoting blood flow, and releasing toxins. For anxiety and depression, cupping helps by potentially lowering cortisol levels in the body. Better sleep quality is another advantage, as cupping can calm racing thoughts and restlessness common with anxiety or depression.
Muscle recovery and athletic performance
Elite athletes, including Michael Phelps, frequently use cupping therapy. Unlike traditional recovery methods, cupping reduces muscle fatigue without adverse effects. Studies show it increases blood flow, alleviates muscle pain, and reduces stiffness. Interestingly, research indicates cupping has a significant delayed effect on reducing muscle fatigue, measured 24 hours after treatment. This makes it particularly valuable for athletes needing consistent recovery between training sessions.
Conclusion
Cupping therapy stands as a testament to ancient wisdom that has withstood the test of time. Throughout this article, we’ve explored how this practice, dating back over 3,500 years, continues to provide therapeutic benefits in our modern world. From its humble beginnings using animal horns to today’s specialized glass, silicone, and plastic cups, cupping has evolved while maintaining its core principles.
The science behind cupping offers compelling explanations for its effectiveness. Blood circulation increases significantly under the negative pressure, while the immune system receives stimulation through multiple pathways. Additionally, the pain-gate control theory explains how cupping provides relief without medications or invasive procedures. Certainly, these physiological responses help us understand why this ancient practice delivers real results.
Various techniques offer different therapeutic outcomes tailored to specific needs. Dry cupping serves as the foundation for most treatments, while wet cupping addresses more complex conditions. Flash cupping improves oxygen supply without leaving marks, and running cupping combines massage-like benefits for tight muscles. Therefore, practitioners can select the most appropriate method based on individual patient requirements.
The versatility of cupping therapy particularly impresses health professionals and patients alike. From chronic pain management to treating skin conditions like acne and eczema, its applications span numerous health concerns. Patients with respiratory issues find relief when conventional treatments fall short. Furthermore, the benefits extend beyond physical ailments to address mental health challenges such as anxiety and stress.
Athletes especially appreciate cupping for its ability to enhance recovery and performance. The delayed effect on reducing muscle fatigue makes it an ideal therapy between training sessions, explaining why elite competitors like Michael Phelps have embraced this ancient practice.
As research continues to validate traditional healing methods, cupping therapy will likely gain further acceptance in mainstream healthcare. This ancient practice offers a fascinating bridge between traditional wisdom and modern science, providing a complementary approach that works alongside conventional medicine. Whether seeking pain relief, improved skin health, better respiratory function, or enhanced athletic performance, cupping therapy remains a valuable tool in our wellness arsenal.
