Cupping Therapy Discolorations

A Word on Discoloration

One of the most common and unfortunate misconceptions concerning suction cup therapy, is the misinterpretation of the discolorations that sometimes occur as a result of cupping.

“Bruising” is caused by impact trauma with breakage of capillaries and a reactionary rush of fluids to the damaged location from the tissue compression / injury. There is no compression in properly employed suction cup therapy. Although it is quite common during Stationary Dry Cupping (left static for 5 - 20 minutes - see below) to achieve dramatic 'marks' or 'discolorations', the less aggressive action of moving the cups, minimizes the intensity and duration of the discolorations.

Wet (or Bleeding) Cupping involves the scarification (puncturing) or scoring of the tissue surface, for the purpose of draining out dredged up stagnation acheived during cupping treatments. Since we do not break the skin in Negative Pressure Massage, the dissipation of these fluid deposits must be dispelled and flushed out via the body's own circulatory systems.

Often, when a condition exists within deeper structures where sufficient pathologic factors and stagnant fluids (toxins, blood and lymph) are dredged up during treatment, discoloration will appear on the epidermis. This is the therapeutically desired effect – and, the more this is visible, the greater the level of stagnation and toxicity. The discoloration will fade from with a few hours to a few days. Then, as treatments cumulate and the release of stagnation and buildup has been thixolated, dispursed and drained – (sometimes quickly as the 2nd treatment) no discoloration is likely to occur at all - even though each time the cupping may have been focused on the same area, for the same duration, and with the same amount of negative pressure. This action is clearly the result of having internal unwanted toxins systematically purged.

But, regardless of the obvious therapeutic value of drawing these agents out of the body, it is vitally important to educate your clients to the nature of the discoloration and self care. Provide them a thorough understanding of the marks to assist them in relaying accurate information to others who might see it. If there is concern about leaving discolorations on clients, and/or the process of educating these clients (including a release form) is unwanted – then suction cup therapy is not for you. There are simply people who will not want such marks - no matter how potent the health benefits. And, being uneducated about the marks (like the "significant other" or other health practitioner, upon seeing it on their back) will be perceived as bruising and can become very concerned.

It is the responsibility of the Practitioner to carefully screen, educate and support their clients in this matter. Prior to any suction cup therapy, a release form should be signed for your records, and appropriate take home documentation provided to the client for their information.

NOTICE - The following information and photos are provided only to demonstrate the effects of static or dry cupping protocols. These are not the effects normally seen in Negative Pressure Massage (Massage Cupping) and qualified Massage Cupping Pracititoners might only, in severe cases of toxicity and stagnation, induce such dramatic discolorations.

This is an example of one type of Baguanfa called Dry Cupping. These cups are left stationary for 5 - 20 minutes and can cause dramatic discolorations as the stagnation and fluids are brought to surface.

It is quite common during Stationary Cupping methods to achieve dramatic marks. Fortunately the less aggressive actions of moving the cups, minimizes the intensity and duration of the discolorations.

Usually, discolorations occur during the initial application of cups. The pigment reactions will lessen in intensity as the deeper issues have been resolved and the stagnations and toxins have been dredged up and flushed out via the bodys' own circulatory systems.

Here are some antique instruments for doing Wet or Bleeding Cupping. As you can see to the picture to the right - the glass cups are shaped to hold the drained fluids as the cups are removed.

The two pictures below are examples of one type of scarification tool used to puncture the skin for drainage or "Phlebotomy".

Since we do not break the skin in Negative Pressure Massage, the dissipation of these fluid deposits must be dispelled and flushed out via the body's own circulatory systems.

The above 2 photos show actual Bleeding (Wet) Cupping. This particular form of cupping is a rare specialty and should be performed only by trained and qualified Cupping Phlebotomists.
This proceedure does not fall within the Massage Practitioners scope of practice.

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	This is an example of one type of Baguanfa called Dry Cupping. These cups are left stationary for 5 - 20 minutes and can cause dramatic discolorations as the stagnation and fluids are brought to surface. It is quite common during Stationary Cupping methods to achieve dramatic marks. Fortunately the less aggressive actions of moving the cups, minimizes the intensity and duration of the discolorations.
Usually, discolorations occur during the initial application of cups. The pigment reactions will lessen in intensity as the deeper issues have been resolved and the stagnations and toxins have been dredged up and flushed out via the bodys' own circulatory systems.

Here are some antique instruments for doing Wet or Bleeding Cupping. As you can see to the picture to the right - the glass cups are shaped to hold the drained fluids as the cups are removed. The two pictures below are examples of one type of scarification tool used to puncture the skin for drainage or "Phlebotomy". Since we do not break the skin in Negative Pressure Massage, the dissipation of these fluid deposits must be dispelled and flushed out via the body's own circulatory systems.


The above 2 photos show actual Bleeding (Wet) Cupping. This particular form of cupping is a rare specialty and should be performed only by trained and qualified Cupping Phlebotomists. This proceedure does not fall within the Massage Practitioners scope of practice.