Cupping TherapyDetail of a woman therapist hands giving cupping treatment on back.

If you’ve ever seen round, bruise-like marks on someone’s back, they likely had cupping therapy. This traditional East Asian medicine technique has been used for centuries and is known for being both deeply relaxing and highly effective for relieving pain and muscle tension.

Many patients find that cupping provides results similar to a deep tissue massage. Instead of pressing deeply into the muscles, cupping gently lifts and decompresses the tissue, allowing tight areas to release while improving circulation.

What Is Cupping?

Cupping is a suction-based therapy that improves circulation and releases tension in the muscles and connective tissue. By gently drawing blood toward the surface of the skin, cupping helps bring fresh, oxygen-rich blood into tight or painful areas, supporting the body’s natural healing process and reducing inflammation.

There are two main types of cupping used in clinical practice:

  • Fire cupping, which uses heat to create suction inside a glass cup

  • Air cupping, which uses a small hand pump to remove air from the cup

Because of the suction, cupping often leaves round marks on the skin that range from light pink to deep purple. These marks are not painful and typically fade within several days. The intensity of the color often reflects how much stagnation or tension was present in the tissues.

Many patients describe the sensation as a “reverse massage.” Rather than pushing into the muscles, the cups gently lift and separate the tissue, which can feel deeply soothing and relaxing while still providing the therapeutic benefits of a deeper bodywork treatment.

What Does Cupping Treat?

Cupping is a versatile therapy that can be used to address a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Neck and back pain

  • Muscle tightness and sports injuries

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Menstrual cramps and PMS

  • Stress and insomnia

  • Digestive issues

  • Chest congestion, asthma, and cough

In East Asian Medicine, cupping is particularly useful for treating stagnation — when circulation of blood and energy becomes blocked in the body. This type of stagnation often presents as sharp, fixed, or stubborn pain.

Add Cupping to Your Next Acupuncture Visit

At Glow, all of our acupuncturists are trained in cupping therapy and frequently incorporate it into treatments. If you’re experiencing pain, muscle tension, or stress — or if you’re simply curious to try it — ask your provider about adding cupping to your session.

It’s a safe, effective, and deeply relaxing therapy that pairs beautifully with acupuncture and can provide relief comparable to a deep tissue massage, while helping your body restore balance and circulation.

To learn more about the history and safety of cupping, see this article.