If you've ever seen photos of Olympic athletes with circular reddish-purple marks on their backs and shoulders, you've seen the results of cupping therapy. The marks caused a media stir — but they tell a story about one of Traditional Chinese Medicine's most effective tools.
What is cupping therapy?
Cupping involves placing cups — traditionally glass, now often silicone — on the skin and creating suction either by heating the air inside (fire cupping) or using a mechanical pump. The suction pulls the skin and superficial tissue upward into the cup, creating a decompressive force opposite to the compression muscles are always under.
At our Germantown clinic, we use both traditional techniques and modern smokeless cupping, depending on the patient's needs and comfort.
Why the marks appear — and why they're not bruises
The distinctive circular marks are often called bruises. They're not. Here's the difference:
A bruise occurs when trauma breaks blood vessels and blood leaks into surrounding tissue. The tissue is damaged, which is why bruises are tender.
Cupping marks are caused by blood being drawn upward toward the skin's surface through capillary dilation — not broken vessels. The blood hasn't leaked; it's been directed to the surface.
What the color tells you
The color of cupping marks is diagnostically meaningful in TCM:
- Light pink to no mark — good circulation, minimal stagnation
- Red — heat, acute inflammation, or recent injury
- Dark purple or near-black — significant stagnation, often in an area with chronic tension or old injury
- Brown or dark red — moderate stagnation with some cold
The marks typically fade within 3–7 days and are rarely tender.
What cupping actually treats
Cupping is particularly effective for:
- Chronic muscle tension and "knots" in the back, neck, and shoulders
- Athletic recovery — it's why elite athletes use it
- Respiratory congestion — back cupping loosens chest muscles and helps mobilize mucus
- Digestive issues — abdominal cupping stimulates digestive organ function
- Anxiety and stress — the parasympathetic activation from cupping is deeply relaxing
What a session feels like
Most patients describe cupping as an unusual but pleasant sensation — a deep pull and warmth that's the opposite of the compressive pain they're used to feeling. Many fall asleep during treatment.
If you're curious whether cupping could help with what you're dealing with, book a consultation. Dr. Kaur will assess whether it's appropriate for your specific situation.