What Do the Colors from Cupping Therapy Indicate?
Disease description:
Recently, I had cupping therapy and various colored marks were left on my back. Some areas are very dark, appearing purplish-black, while others are light red. I'm very curious to know what these different colors actually indicate. Does my body still have some issues now?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
The color changes after cupping therapy can mainly be categorized into the following situations:
1. Red: If the skin appears bright red after cupping, it usually indicates strong qi and blood, and good blood circulation. This situation may suggest the patient's constitution is relatively healthy, or that blood circulation in the treated area has been effectively improved.
2. Purplish-red: A purplish-red skin reaction may indicate the presence of blood stasis or cold-dampness in the body. This could be due to poor blood circulation or the presence of cold or damp pathogenic factors. Purplish-red discoloration suggests the need for treatment methods that warm the meridians, dispel cold, and promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis.
3. Blue: This often indicates the presence of cold or dampness in the body and may be related to joint or muscle issues. Cupping can help expel cold and dampness from the body.
4. Dark brown or black: This typically indicates excessive cold-dampness and dampness in the body, which may be accompanied by pain, muscle tension, and digestive problems caused by dampness. It might be related to excessive cupping pressure and also suggests the need for further regulation and treatment.
5. White: If the skin appears white after cupping, it may indicate poor blood circulation in that area or insufficient yang energy in the body. This condition may require regulation through warming and supplementing yang energy and promoting blood circulation.
