Cupping Therapy: Is It Right for You?

If you’ve ever watched elite athletes – particularly swimmers – in action, you may have been curious about the large purple circular bruises covering their bodies. Trendy celebrities also sport these same marks.

The bruises are the result of cupping, a practice whose proponents say improves circulation, relieves pain and removes toxins from the body.

The treatment has been growing in popularity since it grabbed mainstream attention during the 2016 Summer Olympics, when U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps was seen with the telltale bruises all over his body. The trend grew at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Cupping, however, has been around much longer, with origins tracing back to at least 300 A.D. in Chinese medicine.

How Does Cupping Work?

In this ancient healing method, a small cup (made of a variety of materials including glass, plastic or silicone) is placed on your skin. An air pump is used to create suction that gently pulls your skin away from the underlying muscle for a few minutes. The goal is to draw more blood to that part of your body, helping it heal faster.

That blood flow is what brings the nutrients and vitamins your body needs to heal the tissue. The technique is also credited by supporters with removing waste from overworked muscles and reducing inflammation.

It’s important to note that while this healing technique has been around for centuries, there is scant scientific evidence to prove it actually works.

Some members of the Western medical community disregard the treatment as a placebo that makes people think they feel better. Others, however, see it as an alternative form of treatment along the lines of acupuncture, homeopathy and Shiatsu. It is possible that it prompts the immune system to produce cytokines, small proteins that help cells communicate with each other and improve the body’s immune response.

There is also a variation called wet cupping, where the cupped skin is punctured with a needle or sliced with a small scalpel to release small amounts of blood. This technique is rare in Western medicine and has been linked to bloodborne infections.

As for those notable circular bruises – they are nothing more than a normal side effect of the treatment, which is relatively painless.

How Can Cupping Help?

In the world of orthopedic or sports medicine, the treatment is used for minor aches and pains, particularly after a big workout. Top athletes may use it while seeking any edge they can get over their competitors. But it can offer relief to anyone who gets sore after exercising and wants to speed up the recovery process.

It can be used to break up and soften scar tissue by improving elasticity and blood circulation in the damaged area.

The procedure is also used for a wide range of other conditions, including:

• Arthritis
• Chronic pain in the neck, back, knee and shoulder
• Asthma and other breathing issues
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Gastrointestinal disorders.
• Migraines
• High blood pressure

Giving It a Try

If you are seeing a physical therapist for rehabilitation or muscle pain, cupping is unlikely to be the first treatment offered. But it could be suggested as an added option, along with exercises and stretches, to help the healing process.

The technique is also offered by doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists. And you can even buy a do-it-yourself kit online or from a health store.

There are challenges with doing it on your own, depending on your flexibility and the part of your body you want to focus on. You will be targeting areas of skin that cover lots of muscle. Popular spots include the back, chest, stomach and buttocks. Use some sort of lotion on your skin to achieve a better seal and suction.

You don’t have to be certified or trained to do cupping. But it is generally advisable to consult with a medical professional first.