Cupping is a therapy where cups are suctioned to the skin. This therefore stretches underlying tissues, release toxins and move fluids. The mechanism usually suctions the blood up towards the skin and leaves a bruise-like mark. Many people are left questioning, what is this mark? Does this hurt? Is it a bruise? Cupping mark or bruise. What’s the difference?
Who uses cupping?
Cupping is used by Traditional Chinese medicine and physical therapists alike. I use it primarily to stretch myofascial tissues, as a result lifting and separating muscle fibres. It can soften tight muscles and tone attachments of muscle to bone, loosen adhesions within the muscle and lift connective tissue. It brings hydration and blood flow to soft tissues, moves deep inflammation to the skin surface for release, and drains excess fluids and toxins by opening lymphatic pathways.
How does it work?
Traditional cupping works by suctioning a glass cup to the skin. The skin, fascia and muscle tissues underneath are then stretched up into the cup.
The suction draws blood and fluids up towards the skin. Leaving the appearance of a bruise.
A bruise is normally caused by tears to the muscle after an impact. This causes the blood to pool and clot in the area, healing the muscle tissues. The cups do not cause tearing, only suction and stretching.
Also, a bruise is generally painful to the touch due to inflammation of the injury. A cupping mark is not.
Thinking of cupping marks as bruises may also conjure up the notion that they must be the result of a painful procedure. On the contrary, cupping performed correctly, with the appropriate choice of method and the correct level of suction to suit the patient’s strength and condition, is always a comfortable and satisfying experience.
Bruce Bentley
The Lantern, an international journal of TCM
What is the mark?
There is little scientific research into cupping marks. However, continued use throughout history indicates a popularity in traditional and alternative medicine practice. Studies at the Australian Institute of Sport showed tissue samples contained “old blood”. [1]
Cupping marks are used in Chinese medicine as a diagnostic tool. They are an indicator to the level of ‘stagnation’ of energy in the area. In my practice, I have observed that the greater the area of tension is, the deeper the colour of the mark tends to be. Some people however, do not mark at the time of treatment, with marks forming later. Some do not mark at all.
Many are shocked by cupping marks but there is little in our Western culture that indicates a mark as a safe or healthy response to treatment.
However, in my experience, the marks are usually forgotten once the muscle tension has been relieved.
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