Cupping (Cupping Therapy)

Cupping involves glass, ceramic, bamboo, or plastic vessels applied to the skin to create a vacuum. Traditionally, it is used for conditions such as colds, headaches, and indigestion.

Origins

According to the American NCCIH, cupping is part of traditional medicine in many parts of the world, including China and the Middle East. Australian doctors writing in the Medical Journal of Australia note that the method has been known for about 3000 years and was described by Hippocrates, Celsus, and Aretaios. In recent years, it has been popularized by elite athletes.

There are two methods for creating a vacuum. In fire cupping, the air in the vessel is heated with a flame before being applied to the skin. In non-fire (vacuum) cupping, a pump is used while the cup is already on the skin. Additionally, there are dry cups, which do not involve cutting the skin, and wet cups, where the skin is pricked, allowing blood to flow into the vessel.

What We Know

Label: Weak evidence. The NCCIH assesses that most studies are of low quality, and the only signal of benefit, related to pain, is not strong. No conclusions can be drawn for other ailments, including colds.

What Studies Say

• NCCIH (Cupping page, last updated November 2018): Most studies on cupping are of low quality. Cupping may help reduce pain, but the evidence for this is "not very strong." There is a lack of good studies to assess other uses.
• Systematic review overview (Lee, Kim, Ernst, 2011): The authors found five reviews concerning pain, stroke rehabilitation, hypertension, and shingles. Each included very few studies. A somewhat clear result was only related to pain, and even here the authors had doubts.
• Cochrane (2025): A protocol for a review on cupping for chronic low back pain has been published. This is just a study plan; results are not yet available.
• Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand (Medical Journal of Australia, 2017): Doctors from the burns unit in Melbourne reviewed data from 18,703 patients from 2009 to 2016. In 20 cases (0.11%), burns were associated with cupping. 16 of these occurred at home, and 18 involved flame burns. In at least 19 cases, a flammable substance was used (in 17 it was denatured alcohol, in 2 hot oil). 17 patients required surgical wound cleaning under anesthesia, and 8 required skin grafts. On average, they stayed in the hospital for nearly 11 days.
• The same article describes a 34-year-old man who had cupping done for a cold. A container of denatured alcohol tipped over onto his hand and side, igniting the liquid, and burns covered 5% of his body surface. The authors emphasize that the registry mainly collects data on severe burns, so there are likely more cases of lighter burns.

Safety

Risks

• Burns, especially from flames and flammable liquids, including clothing catching fire (MJA 2017).
• Permanent skin discoloration, scarring, and infections (NCCIH).
• Cupping leaves temporary marks on the skin. NCCIH advises explaining to your doctor where they came from to avoid being mistaken for signs of violence.
• Severe complications have been rarely reported: intracranial bleeding after cupping on the scalp and anemia from blood loss after repeated wet cupping (NCCIH).
• Equipment can become contaminated with blood, even with dry cupping. Using the same cups on multiple people without sterilization can transmit diseases such as hepatitis B and C (NCCIH).

Who Should Avoid It

• People with eczema or psoriasis: according to NCCIH, cupping may exacerbate these conditions.
• The sources we reviewed do not provide a complete list of contraindications. Chronically ill individuals, pregnant women, and parents of small children should consult a doctor before undergoing cupping.

Drug Interactions

• The sources we reviewed do not describe interactions between cupping and medications. Individuals taking medications, especially those that reduce blood clotting, should consult a doctor or pharmacist, particularly before wet cupping, which involves bleeding.

When to See a Doctor

• The NHS recommends calling emergency services or going to the emergency department if the burn is very large or deep or involves the face, genital area, or buttocks.
• According to the NHS, do not drive yourself to the hospital. It is better to ask someone to drive you or call an ambulance.
• If unsure what to do about a burn on yourself or a child, the NHS advises calling for medical advice (in the UK, NHS 111).

Sources

Compiled by the information.com editorial team based on sources. Status as of October 24, 2026. This is not medical advice.