Cupping is one of the most visually distinctive treatments in Chinese medicine — and one of the most effective for pain, tight muscles, and respiratory conditions. At our Belmont clinic, cupping is commonly used alongside acupuncture or as a standalone therapy. If you have seen the circular marks on athletes at the Olympics and wondered what they were, or if you have heard about cupping but weren’t sure whether it was right for you, this page explains how it works, what to expect, and what it is genuinely useful for.
What Cupping Is Useful For
- ✔ Tight, knotted muscles in the upper back, shoulders, and neck
- ✔ Lower back pain and stiffness — particularly for people who sit for long hours
- ✔ Respiratory conditions — chronic cough, bronchitis, sinusitis, and asthma support
- ✔ Sports recovery — reducing delayed onset muscle soreness after training
- ✔ Stress and tension held in the back and shoulders
- ✔ Headaches and migraines that originate from neck and shoulder tension
- ✔ Improving circulation to stagnant or congested areas
- ✔ General wellness and deep relaxation
How Cupping Works
Cupping creates suction on the skin using glass, silicone, or bamboo cups. The suction pulls the superficial tissue upward, creating space between the muscle layers and increasing local blood and lymphatic circulation. It is essentially a reverse massage — instead of pushing tissue down, it lifts tissue up. This lifting effect decompresses tight fascia, improves blood flow to areas that have become congested, and stimulates the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response. The marks left by cupping are not bruises — they are the result of stagnant blood and metabolic waste products being drawn to the surface where the body can more easily clear them. Darker marks indicate more congestion in that area; lighter or no marks indicate the tissue was relatively clear to begin with.
Key Takeaway: The marks from cupping are temporary and harmless. They vary in colour from pink to dark purple depending on the degree of congestion in the underlying tissue. Darker marks typically fade faster in people who are more active and well-hydrated.
What a Cupping Session Looks Like
- • Brief assessment of your reason for cupping and areas to treat
- • You will lie face-down on the treatment table
- • Oil applied if sliding cupping is planned
- • Cups applied to the treatment areas
- • Sensation is pulling and mild pressure — not pain
- • 15–20 minutes total for most sessions
- • Marks assessed and you are advised on what they indicate
- • Avoid cold water or cold air on treated areas for 24 hours
- • Hydrate well — this supports the clearance process
Our practitioners at Nature’s Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic in Belmont are registered with AHPRA. Most private health funds cover acupuncture — check your HICAPS extras cover.
What the Research Shows
PLOS ONE 2015
Cupping significantly reduced pain intensity compared to usual care across multiple RCTs; effects sustained at 4-week follow-up
Evidence-Based Complementary Medicine 2018
Meta-analysis of 16 RCTs found significant benefits of cupping for pain reduction and functional improvement in neck pain, back pain, and carpal tunnel
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2020
Cupping combined with acupuncture significantly reduced frequency and severity of asthma attacks compared to medication-only control
Physiotherapy Research International 2021
Cupping significantly reduced delayed onset muscle soreness and improved recovery time in athletes compared to sham treatment
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- ✅ Stay well hydrated before and after cupping — hydration supports the clearance of metabolic waste mobilised by the treatment
- ✅ Eat a light meal 1–2 hours before treatment — avoid cupping on an empty stomach
- ✅ Avoid cold showers or cold exposure to the treated areas for 24 hours after treatment
- ✅ Tell your practitioner about any skin conditions, recent surgeries, or blood-thinning medications
- ✅ Expect marks and don’t be alarmed — they are normal and temporary
Don’t
- ❌ Don’t get cupping over broken, inflamed, or sunburned skin
- ❌ Don’t have cupping if you are pregnant without checking with your practitioner first — certain areas are avoided in pregnancy
- ❌ Don’t plan a cupping appointment the day before a beach day or important social event where marks would be visible
- ❌ Don’t have cupping over varicose veins or areas of active inflammation
- ❌ Don’t push through if cupping feels painful rather than just pulling — tell your practitioner and the suction will be adjusted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cupping hurt?
No — it should feel like a strong pulling or suction sensation, not pain. If it hurts, the suction is too strong and should be immediately adjusted. Most patients find cupping deeply relaxing, particularly sliding cupping.
How long do the marks last?
Typically 3–5 days for most people. People who are very active and well-hydrated may have marks fade within 2 days. People who are more congested or sedentary may retain marks for up to a week. The colour (pink to dark purple) indicates the degree of congestion in that area, not the intensity of treatment.
Can I have cupping if I am taking blood thinners?
This needs to be assessed individually. With blood thinners, the marks may be more pronounced and last longer. We use lower suction and shorter treatment time, and avoid wet cupping entirely. Please disclose all medications before your appointment.
What is the difference between cupping and massage?
Massage applies downward pressure to compress and manipulate tissue. Cupping applies upward suction to lift and decompress tissue. They produce complementary effects — massage is often combined with cupping for comprehensive muscle work.
Is cupping covered by private health insurance?
This depends on your policy. Some extras policies include cupping specifically; others include it under ‘Chinese medicine’ or ‘myotherapy’. Check your policy or call your health fund to confirm before your appointment.