Cupping therapy has been around for thousands of years, but it was Michael Phelps in the 2016 Olympics that brought it mainstream. The signature purple marks left behind on muscle groups got everyone talking about the benefits, safety, and efficacy of cupping treatments.
At Via Medical Massage, we offer cupping therapy as a tool in our medical massage playbook. Our therapists are trained in cupping techniques. It can help with everything from pain management to improving circulation to reducing muscle tension.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- How cupping therapy works
- What to expect during a cupping session
- How to care for your body after cupping
- The debate around cupping’s effectiveness
The History of Cupping
Cupping therapy isn’t some trendy new idea. Its roots go back thousands of years, with records showing it was practiced in ancient China, Egypt, and parts of the Middle East. Early physicians believed that suction could draw out illness, improve energy flow, and speed healing.
Over centuries, techniques evolved, but the basic idea of using cups to create negative pressure on the skin has remained consistent. Today’s cupping therapy builds on that long tradition while integrating modern safety standards and clinical insight.
The Basics of Cupping Therapy
Cupping creates suction that pulls the skin and underlying tissue upward. The negative pressure promotes circulation, lymphatic flow, and muscle relaxation by decompressing tight or congested areas. It reaches muscles in a way that traditional massage cannot.
At Via Medical Massage, our therapists use either pump‑style cups or flexible silicone cups, depending on what works best for your treatment.
- With pump cups, a handheld device gently removes air to create suction.
- With silicone cups, the therapist presses and squeezes the cup itself to form the vacuum.
Once in place, the cups may stay still to target stubborn tension or glide across the skin to release fascia and improve circulation.
Both methods allow precise control over pressure and comfort. During your massage, cupping usually lasts 10 to 20 minutes. Your therapist will work with you to ensure the pressure is ideal without causing pain or too much discomfort.
Cupping Therapy Benefits
Cupping therapy isn’t just about those round marks people post on social media. When done by a trained therapist, it can play a real role in recovery and overall wellness.
One of the benefits those who use cupping often tout is the negative compression caused by the suction. Instead of pushing down on a muscle, as happens during a massage, cupping pulls the fascia and muscle upward. The suction from cupping increases localized blood circulation in specific spots, possibly aiding the healing of deep-seated tension or knots.
Here are some other benefits:
- Improved blood flow that helps sore muscles recover faster
- Less tension in stubborn, overworked areas
- Support for lymphatic drainage, which can reduce swelling
- Help in softening scar tissue and improving flexibility around healed injuries
- Relief from chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia or plantar fasciitis
- A deep, relaxing sensation that eases stress and promotes overall balance
A trained therapist knows how to apply the right pressure, placement, and technique to keep it safe and effective for your specific needs.
Does Cupping Therapy Really Work?
Cupping therapy may provide short-term pain relief for certain conditions like chronic back, neck, or knee pain, but the scientific evidence is generally weak to moderate in quality. That means while some studies show benefit, results are inconsistent and may largely be due to placebo effects.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health, states, “There’s not enough high-quality research to allow conclusions to be reached about whether cupping is helpful for other conditions.” At the same time, there are plenty of studies that detail cupping experiments.
We recommend that every client talk to their healthcare provider and massage therapist to see if cupping is right for them.
Cupping Therapy FAQs
Does cupping therapy hurt?
Most people feel pressure or a tight sensation, not pain. Some even find it relaxing. If you do find it uncomfortable, let your therapist know so they can release the pressure or remove the cups.
What are the purple or red marks after cupping?
They look like bruises, but they’re not caused by blunt trauma. They are also painless, unlike the tenderness you expect from bruises. The suction pulls blood closer to the skin’s surface, which can create those red or purple circles. As you can see in the image below, the marks can range from light to deep purple. The theory goes that darker spots mean deep stagnation. The marks usually fade within a few days to a week.
Jennifer Hardy, a longtime client of Via Medical Massage in Lincoln, shared these photos with us. She has been doing cupping for years. “My back muscles get so tight and knotted that cupping is one of the best ways I find relief. The day after a cupping therapy session, my flexibility and mobility improve so much. Despite how the marks look, they aren’t tender at all. I usually forget they are even there until someone mentions them if I’m wearing a sleeveless shirt,” Hardy told us.
What should you do after cupping therapy?
Drink plenty of water, take it easy, and avoid intense workouts or hot showers for a few hours. Your body needs time to process the effects, and your skin may be more sensitive than usual. An Epsom salt warm-water bath can be a great follow-up to cupping, especially if your goal is relaxation or detox support.
How often can I get cupping therapy?
This depends on the condition being treated and individual response; some people have sessions weekly or monthly, as advised by their practitioner. Talk to your healthcare provider and massage therapist.
What’s the difference between facial cupping and body cupping?
Facial cupping uses small, soft cups with gentle suction to boost circulation, reduce puffiness, and support collagen production without leaving marks. Body cupping uses larger cups and stronger suction to target muscle tension, pain, and stagnation, and often leaves visible marks as part of the healing process. Different tools, different goals.
What is the difference between wet cupping, dry cupping, and fire cupping?
- Dry cupping uses suction only. It’s the most common method for muscle relief and circulation. This is the only type of cupping we offer at Via Medical massage.
- Fire cupping is a type of dry cupping that uses heat from a flame to create suction before placing the cup. It’s just a different way to get the vacuum seal.
- Wet cupping combines suction with tiny skin incisions to draw out a small amount of blood, often used in traditional or detox-based practices.
At Via Medical Massage, we only use dry cupping with suction on our clients.
Are You Ready to Try Cupping?
Keep in mind that cupping can be included in most massage sessions at Via Medical Massage. It’s just part of the experience and doesn’t come with an upcharge or additional cost.
Book a massage at one of two Lincoln locations or in West Omaha (Elkhorn) today and get ready for a medical massage that heals, relaxes, and revitalizes your body.
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