Cupping therapy, an ancient healing practice with roots in Eastern cultures, has recently seen a resurgence in popularity as people turn to holistic treatments. While it remains a traditional practice in some places, it has also been embraced by a wide range of healthcare professionals, integrating both conventional and alternative approaches to care.
If you’ve heard about this complementary medicine treatment and are curious about exploring its potential benefits, you’re not alone. But with so many types of cupping therapy available today, it can be hard to know which style might work best for you. We’ll walk you through all the different types of cupping, explain how they work, and help you make an informed decision about which might suit your needs best.
What Are the Different Types of Cupping?
Cupping is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Various cupping methods offer unique approaches and benefits. Understanding the differences is essential to choosing the right method for your specific concerns.
Below, we break down the most common types of cupping therapy and their specific functions. But before we dive into each one in more detail, here’s a quick overview of key highlights and comparisons:
| Type / Method of Cupping Therapy | Description | Best For |
| Static Cupping | Cups are placed on the skin and left in one spot. | Pain relief, reducing muscle tension, increasing blood flow to specific areas, relaxation. |
| Dynamic Cupping | Cups are moved across the skin using oils or lotion. | Improving mobility, enhancing circulation, treating larger muscle groups, and reducing stiffness. |
| Dry Cupping | Non-invasive suction with no blood removal. | General wellness, muscle relaxation, pain management, improving circulation without invasiveness. |
| Wet Cupping | Involves making small incisions and removing blood. | Detoxification, releasing perceived toxins, reducing inflammation, and deeper tissue healing. |
| Fire Cupping | Cups are heated with fire before being placed on the skin. | Enhancing blood flow, reducing muscle tightness, and promoting relaxation through heat and suction. |
| Hot Cupping | Uses heat inside cups without fire, often through warm cups. | Pain relief, muscle relaxation, and enhancing circulation with additional heat therapy benefits. |
| Silicone Cupping | Uses flexible silicone cups that can be easily moved. | Gentle therapy, facial cupping, reducing cellulite, and providing a less intense suction experience. |
| Massage Cupping | Combines cupping with massage techniques. | Deep muscle relaxation, improved lymphatic drainage, and enhancing the massage effect. |
| Flash Cupping | Cups are quickly placed and removed repeatedly. | Stimulating the skin and muscles, improving circulation rapidly, and desensitizing tight areas. |
Does Cupping Therapy Really Work?
The effectiveness of cupping varies from person to person. Many people report relief from chronic pain, improved flexibility, and relaxation after a cupping session. Existing research indicates that cupping therapy can help manage conditions like chronic pain, knee osteoarthritis, chronic back pain, neck pain, and shingles.
As a safe, drug-free treatment option, it shows promise for broader use and could be an effective alternative for pain relief. However, scientific evidence is still limited, and more research is needed to explore all of the benefits of cupping therapy.
What Is the Best Body Part for Cupping?
Cupping is most commonly applied to the back, shoulders, and neck, but it can also be effective on the legs, arms, and abdomen, depending on the issue you’re treating. Cupping for back pain is one of the most sought-after treatments. A cupping therapist will often recommend the best locations based on your specific condition.
1. Dry Cupping
Dry cupping is the most common, traditional method of cupping. It involves placing suction cups on the skin without making any incisions. The vacuum created by these cups helps stimulate blood flow, promoting healing and alleviating muscle tension. Dry cupping is generally painless and non-invasive.
Benefits of Dry Cupping
- Enhances blood circulation
- Reduces muscle stiffness
- Promotes relaxation
- Helps in pain management
Since dry cupping is the most widely recognized and commonly practiced form of cupping, it’s no surprise that many of the questions people have about cupping therapy focus on this method. To help clear up any confusion, we’ve answered some of the FAQs about dry cupping below.
Does Dry Cupping Remove Toxins?
While many believe that wet cupping is more effective in removing toxins, dry cupping still promotes healthier blood flow. Enhancing circulation and encouraging lymphatic drainage helps the body clear out waste products naturally over time.
What Are the Disadvantages of Dry Cupping?
Though effective for many, dry cupping may not provide deep detoxification compared to wet cupping therapy as it does not involve the removal of blood, which some believe is essential for releasing toxins.
However, this isn’t necessarily a disadvantage, as dry cupping has its own merits, particularly in pain relief, muscle relaxation, and improving circulation without the invasiveness of bloodletting, making it a preferred choice for individuals seeking non-invasive therapy for muscle tension and general wellness.
Is Dry Cupping Painful?
Does cupping hurt? Most people report little to no discomfort during dry cupping sessions. The sensation is often described as a gentle suction or pulling on the skin. However, the pain threshold varies, and some individuals may feel more sensitive to the pressure.
2. Wet Cupping (Bleeding Cupping)
Also known as Hijama in some cultures, wet cupping therapy is a version of cupping therapy that uses both suction and controlled skin incisions. After applying the suction cups to draw the skin upward, the therapist makes small cuts on the skin. Then, a second round of cupping draws out a small amount of blood, which some believe helps to release toxins and improve blood circulation.
Benefits of Wet Cupping
- Detoxifies the body by removing stagnant blood
- Enhances blood flow in the affected areas
- Useful for treating chronic pain
A 2020 controlled clinical study found that wet cupping therapy is safe and may help manage high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure. It could also play a role in preventing and controlling diabetes and kidney disease, potentially easing headaches, chest pain, and muscle aches in patients.
Which Is Better, Dry or Wet Cupping?
It depends on your goals and preferences. If you’re looking for a less invasive and relaxing treatment, dry cupping may be the better option. However, wet cupping may offer more detoxifying effects.
3. Fire Cupping
Fire cupping, a more traditional style of cupping, involves using flame to create a vacuum inside glass cups. The suction from cupping draws blood and energy to the surface of the skin, promoting healing and pain relief. In this technique, a cotton ball soaked in alcohol is briefly ignited and placed inside a glass or bamboo cup to heat the air.
The flame is quickly removed, and the heated cup is placed on the skin, creating a vacuum as the air cools and contracts. Fire cupping is commonly used for muscle pain, tension, overall relaxation, and even respiratory issues, combining the benefits of cupping with the therapeutic warmth of heat.
For example, cupping for cough is often used in traditional medicine to help clear congestion and improve respiratory function by stimulating the lungs and boosting blood flow to the chest area.
What Is the Difference Between Dry Cupping and Fire Cupping?
Both techniques create a vacuum effect, but fire cupping uses heat rather than manual or mechanical pumps to create the suction. Some people prefer fire cupping for its warmth and because it is closer to the traditional method practiced in ancient Chinese medicine.
4. Hot Cupping
This cupping technique involves warming the cups before applying them to the skin. The heat helps in improving blood flow and is often preferred for people dealing with deep muscle pain. It’s another variation of fire cupping, but in this method, the heat stays longer on the body, enhancing the relaxing effect.
5. Massage Cupping
This style of cupping uses gentle, gliding movements of the suction cups over the skin, acting more like a deep tissue massage than stationary cupping. It is ideal for people who want both the benefits of cupping and the relaxation of a massage. Massage cupping can be particularly useful for types of body pain related to stiffness or muscle soreness.
For example, massage cupping for athletes aids in muscle recovery, reduces soreness, and enhances performance by increasing blood circulation and speeding up the body’s natural healing process.
Benefits of Massage Cupping
- Relaxes tight muscles
- Improves range of motion
- Enhances blood circulation
6. Flash Cupping
In this method, cups are quickly placed and removed repeatedly. Flash cupping is often used for stimulating the skin and muscles, improving circulation rapidly, and desensitizing tight areas without leaving the cups in place for long periods. This can also benefit people who are sensitive to prolonged suction, bruise easily, or prefer a gentler approach to cupping therapy without the typical circular marks left by traditional methods.
7. Silicone Cupping
This version of cupping uses silicone instead of glass cups. Silicone cups are softer and more flexible, making them ideal for self-application or for people who are sensitive to more intense cupping methods. This allows for a more customizable experience because you can control the intensity of the suction, so it’s suitable for more delicate areas of the body, such as the face.
Yes, in case you were wondering, facial cupping benefits go beyond just aesthetics; it helps improve circulation, reduce puffiness, and promote collagen production, giving the skin a youthful glow while also relieving facial muscle tension.
Understanding Static vs. Dynamic Cupping: What’s the Difference?
Cupping therapy can be performed in two main ways: static and dynamic. Static cupping involves placing the cups in one location on the body and leaving them there for a set amount of time, usually 5 to 15 minutes. This method focuses on drawing blood flow to specific areas, helping to alleviate pain, reduce muscle tension, and promote relaxation.
Dynamic cupping involves moving the cups around on the skin, often using oil or lotion to allow smooth gliding. This method combines the suction effect with massage-like movements, enhancing circulation and targeting larger muscle groups, making it ideal for improving mobility and reducing stiffness.
How to Choose the Right Type of Cupping Therapy
Choosing the best form of cupping depends on several factors, including your health goals and needs, pain tolerance, and desired results.
Consider Your Pain and Health Concerns
For chronic pain and certain types of body pain, such as back pain or arthritis, you might benefit more from wet cupping therapy or massage cupping, as these methods help release deep tension and improve blood flow. If you’re seeking natural pain relievers and prefer less-invasive methods, dry cupping or silicone cupping may be a better fit.
Think About Your Skin Sensitivity
Some people are concerned about the cupping marks that form after treatment. Wet cupping can leave more visible marks due to the incisions, whereas dry cupping and silicone cupping are gentler and may leave fewer visible marks.
Which Type of Cupping Is Best?
Ultimately, the best style of cupping for you will depend on your personal health needs and comfort level. If you’re unsure, start small with dry cupping or massage cupping and consult with a qualified cupping therapist to explore other options as needed. An expert such as Dr. Mitra will help steer you in the right direction.
Discover Which Types of Cupping Work for Your Body
Deciding between the different types of cupping therapy available ultimately comes down to your individual needs and comfort level. Whether you’re looking for a gentle massage-like experience or a more intense detoxifying treatment, there’s likely a version of cupping that’s right for you.
If you’re still unsure, why not book a consultation with a qualified cupping therapist? Dr. Mitra can walk you through the options, help you understand which cupping strategies are most effective for your specific condition, and ensure that your experience with cupping physical therapy at BHAcuhealth Clinic is both safe and beneficial. Ultimately, no matter which level of cupping will be most appropriate for you, the journey to healing is always personal.
