The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro were filled with remarkable athletic feats, unexpected victories, and nail-biting finishes. However, for many, the buzz after Michael Phelps’s initial appearance wasn’t solely about his swimming prowess, but rather the distinctive circular marks adorning his skin. This sparked a global conversation about “cupping,” an age-old therapeutic practice. In “dry cupping,” suction cups are applied to the skin for several minutes, sometimes integrated with massage, acupuncture, or other complementary therapies. “Wet cupping” follows a similar procedure but involves the removal of a small amount of blood through superficial skin incisions.
Cupping is believed to mobilize fluids to the treated area. The characteristic circular discolorations are essentially bruises, resulting from broken capillaries just beneath the skin’s surface. This practice boasts a rich history, deeply rooted in Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures for millennia. Its popularity has surged worldwide, with celebrities and athletes in the United States contributing to its modern resurgence.
Close-up of circular cupping marks on Michael Phelps's back, illustrating the skin discoloration associated with cupping therapy, a popular ancient healing practice discussed in this article.
Unpacking the Claims: What is Cupping Supposed to Achieve?
Proponents of cupping therapy assert its ability to accelerate healing and it is frequently employed for muscle soreness. However, the scope of its purported benefits extends far beyond this. Cupping has been traditionally used to address a wide spectrum of conditions, including:
- Back and neck discomfort
- Skin conditions like acne and hives
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- Migraine headaches
- Osteoarthritis of the knee
- Immune system enhancement
The list of potential applications goes on. If cupping genuinely offers relief for these diverse health issues, a crucial question arises: how does it work? From a biomedical perspective, the mechanisms behind applying suction and drawing blood to the skin’s surface to elicit such broad therapeutic effects remain unclear. A recent analysis of cupping describes it as a treatment that can fortify the body’s defenses, re-establish equilibrium between opposing bodily forces, eliminate disease-causing agents, and boost blood circulation. Nevertheless, the precise how remains elusive and requires deeper investigation.
Does Cupping Actually Work? Examining the Evidence
Numerous studies have sought to determine the effectiveness of cupping therapy, yet definitive answers remain somewhat ambiguous. A 2023 systematic review evaluating the available research indicated that cupping may offer some alleviation for various musculoskeletal and sports-related ailments, such as neck and back pain. However, the review also emphasized the limited robustness of the existing evidence base. Similarly, a 2022 study suggested that wet cupping, but not dry cupping, demonstrated effectiveness in managing lower back pain.
One significant hurdle in assessing cupping’s efficacy is the challenge of conducting rigorous, high-quality research. The gold standard for clinical trials is the “blinded placebo-controlled trial,” where neither the participant nor the researcher knows whether the actual treatment or a placebo is being administered. While creating a placebo pill for medication studies is relatively straightforward, devising a convincing placebo for cupping presents a considerable methodological challenge. Furthermore, pain perception is subjective and notoriously influenced by the placebo effect – the phenomenon where improvement arises from the expectation of benefit, rather than the treatment itself. This effect can be remarkably potent.
Despite these challenges, researchers have successfully designed studies comparing genuine acupuncture with sham (or “fake”) acupuncture. Analogous study designs for cupping are conceivable and necessary to further clarify its therapeutic value. Ultimately, if cupping provides tangible relief, whether it stems from a placebo effect or a specific physiological mechanism may be secondary to the individual experiencing benefit.
Safety Considerations: Are There Risks Associated with Cupping?
The consensus among health professionals is that cupping is generally a safe procedure. As long as individuals are comfortable with the temporary circular skin discolorations (which typically fade within days to weeks), side effects are usually minimal, primarily limited to a mild pinching sensation during the suction application. Serious complications from cupping are rare, although isolated cases of skin infections have been documented. It is crucial to ensure that practitioners adhere to strict hygiene protocols to minimize any potential risks.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Cupping Research
If you prioritize robust scientific evidence before embracing a treatment, you might choose to postpone trying cupping for the time being. However, if you are open to exploring a relatively safe therapy that might offer relief from certain aches, pains, and potentially other conditions, the primary drawbacks appear to be the transient skin marks and the cost. Treatment costs can vary, ranging from approximately $25 to $200 per session, depending on session duration and location. Frequency of treatment also varies, with some opting for “as needed” sessions, while others undergo monthly or more frequent treatments. Future research endeavors hold the promise of definitively establishing whether cupping lives up to its extensive claims. Until then, we must await the findings of well-designed, high-quality studies to ascertain its true therapeutic potential.
