Cupping Therapy Explained: Ancient Healing for Modern Bodies

The Marks That Launched a Thousand Questions

When Michael Phelps appeared at the 2016 Rio Olympics covered in circular purple marks, the internet erupted with questions. Were they bruises? Some kind of injury? The answer — cupping therapy — introduced millions of people to a practice that has been used in traditional Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern medicine for thousands of years.

Those marks aren't bruises. They're something far more interesting.

What Is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy involves placing cups — traditionally made of glass, bamboo, or clay, now often silicone — on the skin and creating suction. This suction lifts the skin and superficial muscle layer upward into the cup, rather than compressing tissue downward as in traditional massage.

There are two primary methods:

Dry cupping (static): Cups are placed on the skin and left in position for 5–15 minutes. This is the method that creates the characteristic circular marks.

Sliding cupping: Oil is applied to the skin and cups are moved across the surface in long strokes. This feels more like a deep tissue massage and typically doesn't leave marks.

Fire cupping: A traditional method where a flame briefly heats the inside of a glass cup before it's placed on the skin. The cooling air creates suction. This is the original technique and is still used by many practitioners.

What Do Those Marks Actually Mean?

The circular discolorations left by cupping are called "sha" in traditional Chinese medicine. They range from light pink to deep purple, and their color is considered diagnostically meaningful — darker marks indicate areas of greater stagnation or tension.

Crucially, these are not bruises. A bruise results from trauma that ruptures blood vessels. Cupping marks result from the intentional drawing of blood and lymphatic fluid to the surface of the skin, where it can be processed and cleared by the body. They typically fade within 3–7 days and are rarely painful.

The Science Behind the Benefits

Modern research has begun to validate what traditional practitioners have known for centuries:

Myofascial release. The upward suction of cupping creates a decompression effect on the fascia — the connective tissue that surrounds muscles. Chronic tension causes fascia to become dense and restrictive. Cupping stretches and loosens this tissue in a way that compression-based massage cannot.

Increased circulation. The suction draws blood into the area, increasing local circulation. This brings oxygen and nutrients to tissues while helping clear metabolic waste products that accumulate in chronically tense muscles.

Nervous system regulation. Like other forms of manual therapy, cupping activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing the stress response and promoting relaxation.

Reduced inflammation. A 2012 review in PLOS ONE analyzed 135 studies on cupping therapy and found evidence of benefit for pain conditions, herpes zoster, and acne. More recent research has focused on its anti-inflammatory effects.

What Conditions Does Cupping Help?

Cupping is most commonly used for:

• Chronic back and neck pain — particularly effective for deep, stubborn tension
• Tight IT bands and hip flexors — popular with runners and cyclists
• Respiratory conditions — cupping on the upper back can help with congestion and bronchitis
• Headaches and migraines — upper back and neck cupping can reduce frequency
• Fibromyalgia — the decompression effect is gentler than deep tissue massage for sensitive clients
• Post-workout recovery — reduces delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

What to Expect During a Session

Your therapist will assess your areas of concern and select appropriate cup sizes. The skin is typically oiled before cups are applied. You'll feel a pulling sensation — not painful, but distinctly different from massage. Most clients describe it as a "good" pressure, similar to a deep stretch.

Cups are typically left in place for 5–10 minutes. Your therapist may combine static cupping with massage work in the same session for a comprehensive treatment.

After the session, you should drink plenty of water and avoid intense exercise for 24 hours. The marks will fade on their own — no treatment needed.

Is Cupping Right for You?

Cupping is not recommended for clients with:

• Active skin conditions, sunburn, or open wounds in the treatment area
• Blood clotting disorders or those taking blood thinners
• Pregnancy (certain areas are contraindicated)
• Severe varicose veins in the treatment area

For most healthy adults, cupping is a safe and effective complement to regular massage therapy. At Lotus Holistic Wellness, our therapists are trained in both traditional and modern cupping techniques and can incorporate it into your existing treatment plan.