What Are the Benefits of Cupping?

Cupping is a type of alternative medicine based on an ancient Chinese practice in which a special type of cup is applied to the skin and suction is created so the skin and superficial muscle layer is drawn into and held in the cup. Cupping can increase blood circulation in the area in which the cups are placed.

Cupping is a type of alternative medicine based on an ancient Chinese practice in which a special type of cup is applied to the skin and suction is created so the skin and superficial muscle layer is drawn into and held in the cup.

Cupping can increase blood circulation in the area in which the cups are placed. 

A 2012 review of studies on cupping therapy found that cupping may be effective in treating the following conditions:

• Herpes zoster
• Acne
• Facial paralysis
• Cervical spondylosis

It should be noted the analysis found a lack of well-designed investigations and a high risk of bias in the studies that were reviewed, and they advised more study was needed to determine the effectiveness of cupping for these and other conditions. 

Other reported uses for cupping include: 

• Treatment of pain
  • Shoulder blade
  • Loins
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Soft tissue injury
  • Relief of muscle tension
• Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Diarrhea
  • Acute and chronic gastritis
  • Indigestion
• Respiratory diseases 
  • Chronic cough/chronic bronchitis
  • Asthma
• Gynecological Disorders
  • Infertility 
  • Irregular menstruation 
  • Uterine cramps
• Miscellaneous
  • Common cold
  • Insomnia
  • Facial paralysis

Research is still needed to verify if cupping is effective for any of these conditions. 

Cups may be made of bamboo, ceramic, silicone, and glass. The modern versions of the special cups used for cupping are usually made of glass shaped like miniature fish bowls. 

The two primary types of cupping usually performed are:

• Dry cupping: involves only suction
• Wet cupping: usually involves suction along with controlled medicinal bleeding

When cupping is performed, the glass cups are depressurized using some kind of fire (such as alcohol that is ignited) to heat the air within the cup. The cup is quickly placed on the skin to create suction. A modern version of the cups has a valve and pump so a practitioner can suction out air, creating a vacuum without fire. Cups are only used on fleshy areas of the body and not over bony areas such as the spine. 

For dry cupping, cups are typically left in place for 5 to 15 minutes, and the skin becomes red due to the increased blood flow. Some bruising is expected after removal of the cup. 

For wet cupping, cups are left in place about 3 minutes, then removed and a small scalpel or needles are used to make small superficial cuts on the skin. The cups are then replaced to suction out a small amount of blood.

The main side effect of cupping is bruising and sometimes soreness, which is expected after the procedure. 

Cupping should not be used: 

• On areas of skin that are inflamed
• In cases of high fever
• When there are convulsions or cramping
• In people who have easy bleeding (i.e., pathological level of low platelets)
• On the abdominal area, lower back, and certain acupuncture points during pregnancy
• In patients taking blood thinning medication
• On sunburned skin
• Over wounds, skin ulcers, or recent trauma
• On children under age four, and only for five minutes on children up to the age of seven and ten minutes on children from ages seven through fourteen