Cupping Therapy
A soft tissue technique using gentle suction to lift and decompress skin, fascia, and muscle tissue to support circulation, mobility, and relaxation.
See Cupping Therapy in Action
Watch the short video to see how cupping therapy may be used during an actual treatment session.
What Is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping is a soft tissue technique that uses negative pressure, or suction, to gently lift and decompress skin, fascia, and muscle tissue.
Unlike massage, which compresses tissue, cupping pulls tissues away from underlying structures, allowing for increased circulation, release of tension, and enhanced mobility.
This therapy has ancient roots in Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Egyptian medicine, but has gained popularity in modern sports medicine and musculoskeletal care.
How Does Cupping Work?
Suction is created using either traditional glass cups and flame, or plastic and silicone cups with manual or pump suction.
The suction lifts the skin and superficial fascia, causing a rush of blood to the area. This process is thought to:
- Improve circulation and oxygenation of local tissues
- Release fascial adhesions and knots in the muscle
- Flush metabolic waste through lymphatic stimulation
- Reduce tension and improve mobility
- Induce a parasympathetic relaxation response, calming the nervous system
Cupping Is Frequently Used For
- Chronic muscular tightness, such as upper back, neck, and trap tension
- Shoulder and hip mobility issues
- Post-exercise recovery
- Tension-type headaches
- Scar tissue and fascia-related movement restrictions
You may notice temporary circular marks after treatment. These are often mistaken for bruises, but they are caused by superficial capillary dilation and typically fade within 3–7 days.
Cupping is safe when performed by trained practitioners and can be an excellent complement to other manual therapies or exercise-based care.
Relevant Research & Clinical Evidence
While more high-quality research is still needed, several studies have explored the potential benefits of cupping therapy for musculoskeletal pain and related symptoms.
- A 2024 systematic review found that cupping may be effective for reducing pain and improving physical function in conditions like low back pain.
- Study research found that cupping therapy reduced neck pain, with improvements observed in pressure-pain thresholds and quality of life measures.
- Cupping has been shown to help reduce inflammatory markers and improve circulation in affected tissues, which may support recovery and reduce discomfort.
Although clinical evidence continues to evolve, cupping is widely accepted as a low-risk complementary therapy when performed by trained practitioners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about what cupping feels like, why marks may appear, and how it may fit into your care plan.
