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The Theory and Techniques of Cupping

Therapy
Tianlong Du

11-13 minutes

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of healing that has

been used for many different purposes more than thirty-
five hundred years. Mention of its use can be found in
ancient Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Egyptian cultures,
including reference to its use in one of the oldest medical
textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus.

It is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine that is

based on the Chinese surmise that illnesses are triggered
when “chi” or “qi”, the life force of our body, becomes
disrupted due to some injury or ailment. Cupping therapy
works to reinstate equilibrium, thus curing the patient and
helping with pain management.

The therapy obtains its name from the specialized cups

used by practitioners to generate suction over the affected
points of the patient’s body. Cups can be made of different
materials including earthenware, glass, bamboo, or
silicone.

Types of cupping
There are two main types of cupping: dry and wet. During
both methods, the practitioner puts a flammable substance
like herbs, paper, or alcohol in a cup and sets that on fire.
After the fire goes out, the cup is placed upside down on
the patient’s skin. A vacuum is created once the air inside
the cup cools off. The cup is usually kept on the patient’s
skin for up to 3 minutes.

In recent times, some therapists have used a rubber pump

to create a vacuum inside the cup. Other practitioners use
silicone cups, which can be moved from place to place on
the patient’s skin to generate a massage-like feeling.

In the wet-cupping method, tiny, light cuts are made on the

patient’s skin by using a tiny scalpel. After that, a second
suction is made to drain out a small amount of blood.

An alternative type of cupping is called “needle cupping.” In

this type of cupping, acupuncture needles are first inserted
into the skin. The heated cups are then placed over them.

How does cupping therapy work?

How is suction created?

As we age, our body starts to break down, including a

decrease in blood flow, adhesions in the fascia, and loss of
muscle. By implementing cupping therapy, some of these
effects can be reversed. In this type of therapy, small cups
made out of bamboo, glass, potter, or iron are used to
generate vacuum and subsequent suction. Either a cotton
swab dipped in alcohol is kept in the cup or materials such
as alcohol or similar things are used to rub the bottom of
the cup. Some practitioners also use paper and herbs for
this purpose. The materials are then set on fire and after
the fire goes out, the cup is cautiously placed on certain
areas of the patient’s body in an upside-down manner.
Once the air inside the cup cools down, a vacuum is
created that triggers an adequate amount of suction, which
makes the blood vessels just below the skin enlarge. The
cups are usually kept in place for up to 3 minutes at a time
and the practitioner may prefer to use a number of cups at
various points in different meridians simultaneously. Even
though the cups are heated, there is hardly any chance of
experiencing a burning sensation of the skin.

How does the treatment work?

Cupping therapy treatments are based on an act that is the
opposite of massage treatments. That is because placing
the cups on the skin applies vacuum pressure and
generates suction on the skin as opposed to massage
therapy which involves applying downward pressure on the
skin and underlying tissues. Different cupping sets are
used to drag the skin upwards using the vacuum pressure.
After the vacuum is created, therapy cups may also be
moved throughout the skin in a method called sliding
cupping.

When fresh blood is forced into the skin tissues

encompassing the cups, the body begins to create new
blood vessels, which is called neovascularization. These
newly formed blood vessels are capable of filling the
tissues with oxygen and nutrient. Sterile inflammation is
something that happens early in cupping therapy.
According to common belief, inflammation is detrimental
for our body, but in this case, inflammation is considered
as the initial line of healing. At this stage, our body releases
platelets, white blood cells, fibroblasts together with other
healing compounds that promote healing.

During the vacuum process, different layers of tissues get

separated which can trigger tearing and microtrauma. Next,
the tissue and fascia can be stretched significantly with
cupping. This causes microtrauma and new blood vessels
to start being developed, which facilitates the flow of fresh
nutrients and blood into the injured tissue. When a
significant number of therapy cups are placed on the back
or around the damaged area, it can start to stretch the
connective tissues together with fascia for improved
movement. According to reports of many recipients,
cupping therapy works faster and leaves a longer effect
compared to massage.

How can cupping help us to overcome

injuries?
Here’s how cupping therapy can help you to get rid of old as
well as new injuries:
 Increasing tissue delivery and oxygenation
Increasing circulation
Triggering microtrauma and helpful inflammation
Eliminating old stagnant blood
Stretching connective tissue and fascia
Developing new blood vessels

What are the ailments cupping can

help?
The ancient cupping therapy comes with a multitude of
health benefits together with the capability of curing a
significant number of ailments. This therapy is widely
considered as an advanced therapy option because it helps
to eliminate toxins from our body while relieving tight and
tense muscles and joint pain. This non-invasive physical
therapy yields the following positive results related to
relaxation and pain management.

Rheumatic diseases – Fibromyalgia and arthritis

Blood disorders – Hemophilia and anemia
Skin conditions – Acne, eczema, urticaria etc
Infertility problems as well as other gynecological
problems like Leukorrhea, irregular menstruation, etc.
Facial rejuvenation and wrinkles
Mental problems such as depression, anxiety, insomnia,
and migraines
Detox
Varicose veins
Respiratory illnesses such as asthma, congestion,
bronchitis, allergies, common cold, etc.
Boosting the immune system
A toothache
 Pains like back pain and headache
Helps in weight loss and eliminates cellulite
Ease stiff muscles
Can help in the treatment of cancer
Gastrointestinal disorders such as dysentery, diarrhea,
frequent, or severe gastritis
Damages to soft tissues
Facial paralysis
Acute conjunctivitis
A sore throat
Headaches and fever triggered by infection
Frozen shoulder
Cervical spondylosis
Herpes
Scaring

Who can and cannot receive the

treatment?
Cupping therapy can be applied to help in pain
management and healing processes related to the
following disorders:

Fibromyalgia
Orthopedic conditions
Asthma
Neuromuscular disorders
Depression
Arthritis

This therapy isn’t advisable for people with the following

conditions:
 Menstruating or pregnant women
Those suffering from muscle spasms or bone fractures
Patients having cancer which is spreading from one’s
body part to another
Patients who bleed easily or have high fever together
with convulsions
Patients having high obesity or those who are very thin

Are there any side-effects?

Though cupping therapy is considered safe as long as it’s
performed by a trained therapist, the following side-effects
can be experienced in the area where the therapy is
applied:

Burns
Mild discomfort
Skin infection
Bruises

We’ve mentioned earlier that there are two major types of

cupping therapy—dry and wet. Here’s what you may expect
after the application of each type of therapy.

Dry cupping:

A slight twinge
A circular bruise coupled with a little amount of swelling

Wet cupping:

Skin infections may occur in case the instruments aren’t

sterilized properly
Tiny cuts
While the side-effects of this ancient therapy are quite
minimal, it’s always advisable to undergo treatment offered
by a trained professional therapist. To lower any possible
side-effects, patients need to follow the instruction of the
practitioner related to the precautions that need to be
considered during the post-treatment phase.

Editors note: Here is a sample of scientific studies on

cupping therapy from PubMed that may be of interest:

New is the well-forgotten old: The use of dry cupping in

musculoskeletal medicine. (A 2016 review that
suggests that “there is initial scientific evidence that
dry cupping is able to reduce musculoskeletal pain.”)
Is cupping an effective treatment? An overview of
systematic reviews. (A 2011 meta-analysis of systemic
reviews (SRs) concludes that “based on evidence from
the currently available SRs, the effectiveness
of cupping has been demonstrated only as a treatment
for pain, and even for this indication doubts remain.”)
Dry cupping for plantar fasciitis: a randomized
controlled trial. (The results of this small 2017 “support
that both dry cupping therapy and electrical
stimulation therapy could reduce pain and increase
function in the population tested.”)
The Effects of Cupping Massage in Patients with
Chronic Neck Pain – A Randomised Controlled Trial.
(This 2017 small observational study concluded that
“cupping massage appears to be effective in
reducing pain and increasing function and quality of life
in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. But the
authors noted that more rigorous studies are needed to
confirm and extend these results.”)
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative
Medicine is another source of information on the topic.