Fire Cupping 101: A Beginner’s Guide

The idea of fire cupping to some people is a bit scary and for others intriguing. In this post I’m going to go over all the basics of this ancient technique including what it is, what it’s good for, whether it hurts, and what the bruises mean (because they more of a purpose than just making you look like you have been attacked by an octopus).

Fire cupping has been around in the east for thousands of years. Back when the modality was first introduced, they used animal horns and bamboo cups, whereas now we commonly use glass or silicone cups. You’re probably wondering what the purpose of the flame is. Well, for the cups to be able to suction to the skin, the fire is used to rid the cup of all its air before we quickly place the cup on the body. This helps achieve the seal and from there we can either leave the cup stationary or slide it along sore areas of the body. For silicone cups, they can be manipulated to create suction without using a flame.

Now, who is it good for?

The most common reason for people to receive fire cupping is for tight/sore muscles. I personally describe fire cupping as a reverse massage, as we’re pulling on the tension rather than pushing. Alongside tension, cupping has many other great benefits. These benefits include:

• Boosting immunity

• Reducing inflammation

• Increasing blood circulation

• Stress reduction

• Relieving migraines

• Pain management

• Detoxification

…. The list can go on and on. Long story short, cupping helps move any stagnation in your body that could be causing issues and helps blood and Qi move more freely.

But why the bruises?

The bruises (and lack of) are a large indicator in what is going on internally in your body. For example, getting cupped and having no bruises left afterwards is often a sign of Qi and blood deficiency. In patients experiencing this they will often have a lot of fatigue, poor digestion, restless sleep, and/or profuse sweating. On the contrary, if a patient has deep, dark purple bruises this is often a sign of stagnation within the body. Symptoms these patients may experience can include irritability, pain, and irregular menstruation.

Here is a diagram showing the types of bruises and what they may mean.

Although the bruises may look scary, the pain should be minimal. If you are experiencing tight and sore muscles there may be some discomfort but always communicate to your practitioner if the pain feels too intense. If you have bruises left behind they will clear in the following weeks. Afterwards be sure to drink plenty of water, keep the marks covered (after you take that picture to show your friends), and allow your body ample rest so you can fully absorb the healing effects.