I walked into my first cupping therapy appointment with zero expectations and walked out looking like I’d lost a fight with an octopus. Those circular bruises stayed for over a week. My husband thought I’d joined a cult.
But here’s the thing: my shoulders, which had been carrying approximately seventeen years of accumulated stress, actually felt different. Looser. Like someone had unstuck something that had been stuck for so long I’d forgotten it was supposed to move.
Finding cupping therapy near me wasn’t hard. Keeping my expectations realistic while sorting through the claims? That took more effort. If you’re curious about cupping, here’s everything I learned from actually doing it, not just reading about it on wellness blogs written by people who’ve never had a toddler climbing them while they try to stretch.
What Cupping Therapy Actually Is
Cupping uses suction cups placed on your skin to create negative pressure. The cups pull your skin and underlying tissue upward, increasing blood flow to the area. Practitioners use it for muscle tension, pain relief, and general wellness.
The cups are typically glass, silicone, or plastic. Glass cups use heat to create suction. A practitioner briefly heats the air inside the cup with a flame, then places it on your skin. As the air cools, it creates a vacuum. Silicone cups work by simply squeezing them before placement.
There are two main types: stationary cupping, where cups stay in one place for several minutes, and gliding cupping, where the practitioner moves oiled cups across your skin.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has used cupping for thousands of years. It’s experiencing a resurgence now, partly because Michael Phelps showed up at the 2016 Olympics covered in those distinctive circular marks. But ancient doesn’t automatically mean effective, and Olympic swimmer endorsement doesn’t mean it’ll work for your lower back pain from carrying a carseat everywhere.
Where to Find Cupping Near You
Several types of practitioners offer cupping therapy:
Acupuncturists often include cupping as part of their treatment. If you’re already interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this is a natural fit. Acupuncturists typically complete extensive training that includes cupping techniques.
Licensed massage therapists may offer cupping as an add-on or standalone service. Not all massage therapists are trained in cupping, so ask about their specific credentials and experience.
Physical therapists increasingly incorporate cupping for certain musculoskeletal issues. If you’re dealing with a specific injury or chronic pain condition, a PT can integrate cupping into a broader treatment plan.
Chiropractors sometimes offer cupping alongside adjustments. Same as with massage therapists, training varies.
Med spas and wellness centers often provide cupping, though the practitioner qualifications can range widely. Ask questions before booking.
To find practitioners near you:
- Search “cupping therapy” plus your city name
- Check your acupuncturist or massage therapist’s service list
- Ask your physical therapist if they offer it
- Look at wellness center menus
- Search professional directories like the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
When evaluating options, ask about licensing, training hours specific to cupping, and how many cupping sessions they perform regularly. Someone who does cupping twice a year has different experience than someone who does it daily.
What Your First Session Looks Like
My first appointment started with paperwork. Health history, medications, areas of concern, the usual. The practitioner asked about my pain levels, where I held tension, and what I hoped to get out of treatment.
Then she had me lie face down on a massage table, back exposed. She applied oil to help the cups glide and create a better seal.
The sensation when the first cup went on was… strange. Not painful, but intensely noticeable. Imagine someone pinching a large area of your back and pulling upward steadily. It’s a tugging, stretching feeling that takes a minute to get used to.
She placed about eight cups along my upper back and shoulders, where I’d indicated the most tension. The cups stayed for roughly ten minutes while I practiced breathing and tried not to think about how weird this was.
When she removed them, the relief was immediate. Something had shifted. Whether it was increased blood flow, released fascia, or just the novelty of someone paying attention to my neglected upper back, I couldn’t say. But it felt different.
The marks, though. Those purple-red circles looked alarming. She’d warned me, but still. I wore high-necked shirts for a week.
How Much Cupping Therapy Costs
Prices vary significantly by location and practitioner type:
Standalone cupping session: $30-80 for a 15-30 minute treatment
Cupping added to acupuncture: Often included at no extra charge or $15-25 additional
Cupping added to massage: $15-35 additional, typically
Physical therapy with cupping: Usually billed through insurance as part of your PT session
Med spa cupping facial or body treatment: $75-200, often marketed as luxury wellness
In major cities, expect the higher end of these ranges. Rural areas and smaller towns typically cost less. Practitioners with more specialized training may charge more.
Some health insurance plans cover acupuncture, which might include cupping as part of that session. Physical therapy with cupping may be covered under your PT benefits. Standalone cupping at a massage studio or spa is typically not covered.
I paid $45 for my first session, which was a 30-minute standalone treatment. Subsequent sessions where cupping was added to massage cost me an extra $20.
Does Cupping Actually Work?
Here’s where I have to get honest with you. The research on cupping is mixed. Some studies show benefits for pain reduction and muscle recovery. Others show no significant difference from placebo.
A 2015 review published in PLOS ONE found that cupping may be effective for reducing pain, but the authors noted that many existing studies had methodological issues. Better-designed research is needed.
What I can tell you from personal experience: after my cupping sessions, my shoulder mobility improved for several days. The chronic tightness I’d accepted as normal loosened up. Whether that was the cupping itself, the practitioner’s assessment of where I held tension, or simply the fact that I’d blocked out time to lie still and focus on my body, I genuinely can’t separate.
Cupping probably works best as part of a broader approach. It’s not going to fix terrible posture, too much screen time, stress, or the physical demands of wrangling small children. But combined with stretching, movement, and attention to the underlying causes of muscle tension, it can be a useful tool.
The placebo effect is also real and valuable. If cupping helps you relax and feel like you’re doing something for your body, that matters. The ritual of self-care has benefits even if the specific mechanism is unclear.
What Cupping Can and Can’t Treat
Conditions where people commonly try cupping:
- Upper back and shoulder tension
- Lower back pain
- Neck stiffness
- Muscle recovery after exercise
- Headaches (tension-type)
- General stress and anxiety
What cupping is NOT appropriate for:
- Open wounds or skin irritation
- Sunburned or inflamed skin
- Blood clotting disorders (talk to your doctor first)
- Pregnancy (especially on the abdomen or lower back)
- Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis in the treatment area
If you’re dealing with chronic pain or a specific medical condition, talk to your doctor before trying cupping. It shouldn’t replace medical treatment for serious issues, but it might complement your existing care plan.
The Marks: What to Expect and How Long They Last
Those circular bruises are called “cup kisses” by some practitioners, which sounds friendlier than “vacuum-induced petechiae.” The marks form when the suction brings blood to the surface.
Mark intensity varies. Lighter suction and shorter duration create fainter marks that fade in a day or two. Stronger suction and longer sessions create deeper purple marks that can last one to two weeks.
The color of the marks supposedly indicates something about the underlying tissue, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy. Darker marks mean more stagnation in that area. I’m skeptical of the diagnostic interpretation, but I’ve noticed that areas where I hold the most tension do seem to mark more intensely.
If you have an event where you’ll be showing your back, plan accordingly. No cupping the week before a beach vacation or backless dress situation.
The marks aren’t painful to the touch, generally. They look worse than they feel. But you will answer questions if anyone sees them.
How to Choose a Cupping Practitioner
Questions to ask before booking:
- What’s your training in cupping specifically? You want someone who has completed formal education in the technique, not just watched some YouTube videos.
- How long have you been practicing cupping? Experience matters. More sessions mean more familiarity with different body types and tension patterns.
- What type of cupping do you offer? Fire cupping, silicone cupping, and other methods have different intensities and applications.
- How do you assess which areas to treat? A good practitioner will ask about your concerns and do some evaluation, not just slap cups on randomly.
- What should I expect after the session? They should explain the marks, aftercare, and any side effects clearly.
Red flags to watch for:
- Claims that cupping will cure specific diseases
- Pressure to book multiple sessions before your first one
- Unwillingness to discuss their training or credentials
- Dismissing your questions or concerns
- Unsanitary-looking equipment or treatment space
What to Do Before and After Your Session
Before:
- Hydrate well. Drink plenty of water in the hours before your appointment.
- Eat something light. You don’t want to be starving or stuffed.
- Wear loose clothing that allows easy access to the treatment area.
- Note where you hold tension so you can describe it to your practitioner.
After:
- Keep drinking water. The increased blood flow means your body is doing some work.
- Avoid extreme temperatures for a few hours. No ice baths or hot saunas immediately after.
- Take it easy on exercise that day. Gentle movement is fine, but maybe skip the intense workout.
- Apply lotion or oil to keep the treated skin moisturized as it heals.
- Expect to feel mildly tired or spacey. Some people feel very relaxed, others feel slightly drained.
Is Cupping Right for You?
If you’re curious and don’t have any contraindications, trying one session won’t hurt. Go in with realistic expectations. This isn’t magic. It’s a technique that some people find helpful for muscle tension and relaxation.
I’ve done cupping maybe six times over the past two years. I go when my shoulders get particularly locked up, usually after stretches of intense computer work or high stress. For me, it’s one tool in a larger toolkit that includes stretching, walks, occasionally remembering to have good posture, and accepting that bodies over forty require maintenance.
The marks fade. The tension relief, when it happens, is genuinely nice. And there’s something valuable about someone spending focused time on parts of your body that normally just carry stuff, type stuff, and hurt.
Worth a try, if you’re curious. Just warn your partner about the octopus marks first.
