The Truth About Cupping Therapy Benefits
Updated: Sep 10
Cupping therapy is easy to recognize by the temporary circular marks it may leave behind—but those marks are only one part of the story. When used thoughtfully alongside massage therapy, cupping can offer a different way to work with areas that feel tight, restricted, or overworked.
At Dragonfly Aura in Glendale, Colorado, we use targeted dry cupping as an optional complement to personalized 90-minute massage sessions. Here is what cupping actually does, what the research suggests, and what you should know before trying it.
What Is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping is a traditional practice that uses cups to create controlled suction on the skin. Unlike massage techniques that press downward into tissue, cupping gently lifts the skin and superficial tissue upward.
There are several forms of cupping. Dry cupping does not pierce the skin and is the form used alongside massage at Dragonfly Aura. Wet cupping involves puncturing the skin and is a different practice that we do not provide.
What Are the Potential Benefits of Cupping?
Clients often choose cupping because they enjoy the lifting sensation and feel less restricted afterward. It may be incorporated into a massage session to support:
Temporary relief from muscle tightness or soreness
A greater sense of ease in commonly restricted areas
Comfortable movement and short-term range of motion
Relaxation after exercise, repetitive activity, or long periods of sitting
Preparation of a targeted area for hands-on massage techniques
It is important to keep the claims realistic. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that cupping may help reduce pain, but the available evidence is limited and much of the research is low quality. Cupping should be viewed as a complementary wellness technique—not a cure or replacement for medical care.
How Cupping Works During a Massage
Your massage therapist begins by discussing your goals, health history, and any areas that should be avoided. The amount of suction and time used should feel appropriate for your body and comfort level.
Cups may be placed in one position briefly or moved across lubricated skin. These approaches feel different:
Stationary cupping: A cup remains over a targeted area for a short period.
Gliding cupping: The therapist moves a cup across the skin to address a broader area.
Cupping can be especially complementary to deep tissue massage, sports massage, and therapeutic massage. Your therapist will determine whether it fits the goals of your session.
Why Does Cupping Leave Circular Marks?
The suction draws skin into the cup and can affect small blood vessels near the surface. This may create round areas of pink, red, or purple discoloration. Although people often call them bruises, the marks are created differently from an impact injury and may not feel tender.
The color of a mark does not show that “toxins” were removed, and darker marks do not necessarily mean an area needed more treatment. Marks are simply an individual skin response to suction. They commonly fade over several days, but they may remain longer for some people.
Does Cupping Hurt?
Cupping usually feels like pulling, pressure, or tightness. It should not feel sharply painful. Sensation varies by body area, the amount of suction, and personal sensitivity.
Tell your therapist immediately if the suction feels too strong, pinching, burning, or otherwise uncomfortable. More intensity does not automatically produce a better result.
Cupping Therapy vs. Deep Tissue Massage
Both approaches may be used when muscles feel tense, but they work differently. Deep tissue massage uses carefully applied pressure and movement to address deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue.
Cupping uses negative pressure to lift tissue rather than compress it.
Neither technique needs to be extreme to be effective. At Dragonfly Aura, the session is adapted to your goals and response instead of following a one-pressure-fits-all formula.
Who Should Avoid Cupping?
Cupping is not appropriate for every person or every area of the body. It should not be placed over broken, irritated, infected, sunburned, or recently injured skin. Extra caution may be necessary if you bruise easily or have a bleeding disorder, take blood-thinning medication, have certain vascular conditions, or recently had surgery.
If you are pregnant, managing a medical condition, receiving cancer treatment, or recovering from a procedure, ask your healthcare provider whether cupping is appropriate before your appointment. Always share relevant health information with your massage therapist.
What to Expect After Cupping
You may notice temporary marks, mild tenderness, or a feeling similar to post-workout soreness. Keep the treated skin clean, avoid irritating the area, and protect visible marks from excessive sun until they fade.
Drink according to your normal hydration needs. There is no need to “flush toxins” or force extra water after a session. Contact a healthcare professional if you experience blistering, increasing pain, signs of infection, or another unexpected reaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do cupping marks last?
Many marks fade within a few days, although some may remain visible for a week or longer. Skin sensitivity, suction level, placement time, and individual response can all affect how long they last.
Can cupping be added to a massage?
Yes. Targeted cupping can be incorporated into an eligible massage session when your therapist determines that it is appropriate. It does not need to become the focus of the entire appointment.
Does cupping remove toxins?
There is no good evidence that the color or darkness of cupping marks represents toxins leaving the body. The marks are a local response to suction.
How often should I receive cupping?
There is no universal schedule. Frequency depends on your goals, skin response, health history, and how you feel after treatment. Your therapist can discuss whether occasional use makes sense within your broader massage plan.
Should I try cupping before an important event?
If visible marks would concern you, schedule cupping well before the event or ask your therapist to avoid areas that will be exposed. First-time clients may prefer lighter, shorter applications so they can learn how their skin responds.
Experience Targeted Cupping in Glendale, CO
Cupping does not have to be mysterious or overly intense. Used carefully, it can complement skilled massage therapy and give your therapist another way to work with areas that feel tight or restricted.
Explore our massage services or contact the Dragonfly Aura team if you would like help choosing the right session. Dragonfly Aura is located in Glendale, Colorado, serving Denver and surrounding communities.
Simple online booking. Personalized care.
Professional review: This article was reviewed by Nicco Castell, LMT, founder of Dragonfly Aura, who has more than 17 years of massage therapy experience.
Medical note: This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or individualized medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about symptoms, medical conditions, medications, pregnancy, or recovery after surgery.
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