What Is Cupping Therapy and What Does It Do?

How Cupping Works

Cupping creates a vacuum inside glass, silicone, or plastic cups placed on the skin. This negative pressure lifts the overlying tissue — skin, superficial fascia, and muscle — away from the underlying structures, creating a 'reverse massage' effect that releases adhesions between tissue layers and dramatically improves local blood and lymphatic circulation.

This improved circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues, accelerates the removal of lactate and metabolic waste products, and triggers a local anti-inflammatory response. The reddish-purple marks (petechiae) often visible after cupping are not bruises — they are the result of superficial blood being drawn to the surface and indicate areas of stagnation. They typically resolve within 3–7 days.

When Cupping Is Used

At Rainbow Medicine, cupping is most commonly used for musculoskeletal pain and tightness (particularly the upper back, neck, and shoulders), respiratory conditions (acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma), post-exercise recovery, and as part of cosmetic acupuncture protocols for facial rejuvenation.

Both static cupping (cups placed and held in position) and dynamic or moving cupping (oil-lubricated skin allows cups to be slid along the back) are used, depending on the condition and patient preference. Most patients find cupping deeply relaxing and report significant post-treatment relief.