Can cupping remove dampness from the body?

Aug 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

In general, cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese medical treatment that promotes local blood circulation and the flow of qi by applying negative pressure to the skin surface, thus relieving pain and improving symptoms. Whether cupping can remove dampness depends on the individual patient's constitution. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical advice from a qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. A detailed explanation is as follows:

Generally speaking, cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese medical treatment that applies negative pressure to the skin surface to promote local blood circulation and the flow of qi and blood, thus relieving pain and improving symptoms. Whether cupping can effectively remove dampness depends on the patient's individual constitution. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical advice from a professional TCM practitioner. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If the patient has a cold-damp or phlegm-damp constitution, in which dampness manifests mainly as tangible pathogenic factors, symptoms such as heavy limbs, joint pain, and thick greasy tongue coating may appear. In such cases, cupping usually can help remove dampness to some extent. By creating negative pressure to suction the skin, cupping can unblock the meridians, promote the circulation of qi and blood, and assist in expelling dampness from the body, especially improving discomfort caused by externally contracted dampness or internally generated cold-damp.

If the patient's dampness is associated with damp-heat or yin deficiency with dampness, manifested as dry and bitter mouth, dry or sticky bowel movements, red tongue with yellow greasy coating, etc., then cupping may not effectively remove dampness and might even aggravate internal heat symptoms if improperly applied. In these constitutions, dampness intermingles with heat pathogens, and the warm stimulation of cupping could intensify internal heat, which is unfavorable for eliminating dampness.

Cupping should be performed by trained professionals who select appropriate acupoints and proper suction strength, avoiding excessive duration that may cause skin damage. Cupping is contraindicated for individuals with skin wounds, allergies, or hemorrhagic diseases. After cupping, keep warm and avoid immediate contact with cold water or exposure to wind to prevent re-entry of damp pathogens. If redness, swelling, blisters, or other discomfort occur after cupping, stop the treatment immediately and seek medical attention.

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How to properly regulate cold-damp-heat constitution

Adjusting a constitution characterized by cold, dampness, and heat typically involves modifying dietary patterns and using traditional Chinese medicine therapies. Long-term persistence is essential when regulating such a constitution; quick results should not be expected. If significant fatigue, abdominal distension, or worsening of thick, greasy tongue coating occur during the process, it is advisable to consult a professional TCM practitioner to develop a personalized plan. Daily attention should be paid to bodily responses, and调理 methods should be adjusted according to seasonal changes.

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Is eczema caused by excessive dampness in the body?

When eczema presents with skin erythema, papules, and exudation, and the patient simultaneously exhibits symptoms such as thick, greasy tongue coating, sticky bowel movements, and heavy limbs, it may be related to excessive internal dampness. Accumulation of dampness in the skin can easily trigger inflammatory responses, leading to eczema flare-ups or worsening. In such cases, resolving dampness through regulation may help alleviate symptoms.