People have used cupping for thousands of years to ease back pain, neck pain, headaches and other problems. Cupping therapy involves creating a suction force to pull blood into the skin. Cupping causes bruising and can lead to skin infection.

What does bruising mean after cupping?

It is common for cupping to leave distinctive small, circular bruises on the areas where the cups were applied and it is usually painless. These cupping marks are discoloration of the skin due to broken blood vessels just beneath the skin, much like a bruise.

Should cupping leave bruises?

Cupping may cause temporary bruising and soreness, depending upon the degree of suction created by the vacuum and the level of internal stagnation. According to TCM, this would be a favorable outcome, suggesting the treatment has successfully removed toxins and stagnation.