What are the benefits of cupping therapy?
Mar 19, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
In general, cupping therapy has effects such as promoting meridian circulation, dispelling wind and cold, reducing swelling and pain, enhancing immunity, and improving sleep. Although cupping can alleviate various symptoms, it is not a universal treatment. For serious illnesses, timely medical consultation is necessary, and professional medical guidance should be followed. After cupping, local skin reactions such as redness, swelling, and bruising may occur; therefore, keeping warm and avoiding cold exposure are important.
Generally, cupping therapy has effects such as promoting meridian circulation, dispelling wind and cold, reducing swelling and pain, enhancing immunity, and improving sleep. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Promoting Meridian Circulation
The negative pressure inside the cups causes local skin congestion, promoting the circulation of qi and blood. The meridians in the human body are channels for the flow of qi and blood; when the flow of qi and blood is blocked, symptoms such as pain and numbness may occur. By stimulating acupoints through cupping, blocked meridians can be reopened, allowing qi and blood to circulate normally and relieving physical discomfort caused by meridian obstruction.
2. Dispelling Wind and Cold
When the body is invaded by external pathogens such as wind, cold, and dampness, it can cause stagnation of qi and blood. The thermal effect and negative pressure generated during cupping can open pores, allowing wind and cold pathogens to be expelled from the body through the skin. Additionally, the warmth can dispel cold, alleviating joint pain and muscle aches caused by wind-cold invasion.
3. Reducing Swelling and Pain
For localized swelling and pain caused by injuries or muscle strain, cupping can dilate local blood vessels, accelerate blood circulation, promote the absorption of bruising, and reduce swelling. Its negative pressure effect can also relieve pressure within tissue spaces, thereby alleviating pain and achieving the effect of reducing swelling and relieving pain.
4. Enhancing Immunity
Stimulating acupoints via cupping can activate the body's self-regulating functions, prompting the secretion of various immune-active substances such as interleukins. These substances enhance the activity of immune cells, improve the body's resistance, and help defend against external pathogens.
5. Improving Sleep
Cupping along areas such as the bladder meridian on the back can regulate nervous system function. By relieving muscle tension, relaxing the body and mind, and freeing the brain from a tense state, sleep quality can be improved, especially helping alleviate insomnia caused by stress and fatigue.
Although cupping can relieve various symptoms, it is not a universal treatment. For serious illnesses, timely medical attention should be sought, and professional medical advice should be followed. After cupping, redness, swelling, bruising, or other phenomena may appear on the local skin; warmth should be maintained to avoid catching a chill, and the area should be kept clean to prevent infection.
