Cupping Therapy

What is Cupping?

Cupping is a massage technique that uses the application of silicon, glass, or plastic cups to the skin. The cups create a suction effect that lifts the skin and fascia.

The lifting mechanism provides a traction stimulus to tissues that can complement the compressive forces commonly used with traditional massage techniques.

How Does Cupping Work?

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) suggests that cupping therapy restores the flow of qi (vital energy) and balance between yin and yang within the body. According to TCM, disruptions in qi lead to stagnation, causing pain and illness. The suction forces mobilize qi and blood flow through meridians, removing toxins and alleviating stagnation. To date, there is not much empirical evidence to support this theory. This is not to say that stagnation doesn't exist. It just means that we don't have reliable or valid ways to measure qi and stagnation.

Western Medicine Theory

There is still a lot of uncertainty about how cupping can help us move and feel better. There are a few interesting theories which include...

The cup exerts a vertical lifting effect, which can create a bit more space between tissue layers, thus creating an opportunity for increases in local blood flow.

The lifting force creates sheer and separating forces on fascial adhesions. Though this makes a lot of sense, the jury is still out on how effective cupping is on "breaking up" adhesions.

The Gate Control Theory and the Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Controls (DNIC) theory are considered potential explanations for how cupping might help manage pain. The Gate Control Theory proposes that cupping stimulates certain nerve fibers that can block pain signals from reaching the brain. The DNIC theory suggests that the sensation from cupping in one area could trigger the body's natural pain-inhibiting system, reducing pain in another area.

When Would Cupping Be Used?

Generally speaking, cupping therapy is performed to reduce myofascial tightness, hypertonia (i.e., excess muscle tension), pain, and inflammation. Cupping can also be used to promote relaxation and improve local circulation.

It follows that cupping can be used to help treat a number of localized pain problems such as low back pain, neck pain, headaches, and knee pain. In addition, cupping may have some benefit in smoothing scars and adhesions.

More systemically, cupping has been shown to help improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, and anxiety.

When to Consider Other Approaches

Certain conditions and medications might take cupping therapy off the table for you.

Pregnancy
Bleeding disorders such as hemophilia
Blood clotting problems such as deep vein thrombosis
Acute infection
Grade III muscle sprains, tendon or ligament rupture
Excessive swelling

*If you're not sure, or even if you think you're sure, it's always smart to check with your doctor.

What Are The Red Marks?

The distinct circular marks that can appear after a cupping session are not painful. Also of note, the marks are not bruises. Mechanistically, the marks might be better described as a hickey.

More technically, cupping marks are considered petechiae. Petechiae is a term used to describe pinpoint, round spots that form on the skin caused by bleeding. In the case of cupping, petechiae is caused by the suction force, which draws blood through capillary walls and to the skin, creating local discoloration that looks like a bruise.

The marks tend to fade within a day and, occasionally, can take up to a week to fully disappear.

Why Do The Cup Marks Vary In Appearance?

Following a cupping session, some people are left with very dark purple marks, while others have very light pink marks. Some people are left with no marks. The darkness or lightness of the cupping mark is likely related to a few factors, including the amount of suction applied, a person's tissue density, and skin tone. TCM practitioners would tell you that the coloring of the mark is evidence of the amount of stagnation within the body.

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