What Exactly is Cupping?

Cupping therapy has been used in traditional medicine systems since ancient times. Around 5,500 years ago, the Macedonians and Egyptians utilized this traditional practice, which the Egyptians later introduced to the Greeks. Cupping is well-documented throughout many diverse traditions, including China and Rome.

It has extended to numerous parts of the world where it has been consistently utilized professionally and as a home remedy, except in the United States until recently. Since the 2016 Olympics, when Micheal Phelps returned to the pool with dark circles on his shoulders, cupping entered the Western mainstream consciousness.

Cupping Techniques: Initially, cups were made from animal horns, bamboo, or pottery. Today’s cups are made of sterilizable materials such as glass, plastic, or silicone. Heat, manual, or pump action creates a vacuum seal between the cup and the skin. This suction pulls blood to the surface of the body. This process, called extravasation, does not damage blood vessels or break the skin but will cause markings ranging from pink to red to purple. Marks left on the skin are painless and typically disappear within a week. The cups can be motionless, or when used with a lubricant (e.g., oil), the cups can move across the skin. Depending on the treatment goals, sessions can last 5 to 30 minutes. Cupping has a cumulative effect and is best performed as an adjunct to acupuncture and/or gua sha treatments weekly over several weeks or months.

The Science of Cupping: Cupping stimulates blood flow and activates the nervous system, leading to the release of endorphins, a type of neurotransmitter that improves mood and naturally relieves pain. The increased blood flow enhances oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, reducing fatigue, tension, and stress. Cupping also encourages lymph flow and drainage, which helps eliminate toxins from the body. The relaxation induced by cupping can shift the body from a stressed state (sympathetic “fight, flight, or freeze”) to a calm one (parasympathetic “rest and digest”).

Benefits of Cupping Therapy: Cupping is best known for chronic and sub-acute pain, where it improves range of motion, reduces inflammation, and relieves muscle and fascial tightness and adhesions. What may come as a surprise is its additional therapeutic benefits. Besides pain reduction, cupping can help with digestive complaints, cough and asthma treatments, cellulite reduction, cosmetic facial benefits (no marks, of course!), and mental wellness and relaxation.

Dr. Jennifer Savage is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine & owner of Wú Wéi Wellness in Old Town Beaverton with over 25 years of experience in healthcare. To schedule an appointment to try cupping, gua sha, or acupuncture, call 503.530.8097 or visit www.bewuweiwell.com.