Cupping Therapy
Episodes covering cupping therapy — protocols, research, and expert discussions.
Ancient therapy using suction cups on the skin to increase blood flow, reduce muscle tension, and promote healing - popular among athletes for recovery
Evidence-Based Take:
Cupping has moved from traditional medicine curiosity to mainstream athletic recovery tool, famously showcased by Michael Phelps' circular bruises at the 2016 Olympics. The evidence is moderate - it appears to help with pain and muscle tension, but the mechanisms aren't fully understood and placebo effects are hard to separate.
What the Evidence Shows:
- Moderate evidence for pain reduction (back pain, neck pain)
- May improve local blood flow and reduce muscle tension
- Athletes report faster recovery and reduced soreness
- Limited high-quality RCTs; many studies have methodological issues
Honest Assessment:
Cupping probably works for something - the question is how much is physiological vs placebo. For muscle recovery and pain relief, many athletes find it helpful. It's low-risk when done properly. The dramatic bruising looks intense but is typically painless and temporary.
Best use case: Post-training recovery, muscle tension relief, chronic pain management as part of a broader approach.
Science & Mechanisms
How Cupping Works:
Cups create negative pressure (suction) on the skin, which:
- Draws blood to the surface (causes the characteristic marks)
- Stretches underlying tissue and fascia
- May trigger local inflammatory/healing response
- Potentially stimulates nervous system responses
Types of Cupping:
| Type | Method | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Dry cupping | Suction only | Most common, recovery |
| Wet cupping | Suction + small incisions | Traditional, less common in West |
| Fire cupping | Heat creates suction | Traditional method |
| Silicone cupping | Squeezable cups | Home use, massage |
Proposed Mechanisms:
- Blood flow: Increases local circulation
- Myofascial release: Stretches fascia and connective tissue
- Pain gate theory: Stimulation may block pain signals
- Inflammation: Controlled micro-trauma triggers healing
- Nervous system: May affect autonomic nervous system
The Marks:
The circular discolorations aren't bruises (from impact) but "ecchymosis" - blood drawn to the surface. They typically fade in 3-10 days and indicate increased circulation to the area.
Episodes
Dr. Andy Galpin hosts Jill Miller, a movement and body-work expert, for a deep dive into myofascial release, breathwork, and practical strategies for relieving chronic pain and ...
Chris DaPrato explains myofascial decompression cupping, how it differs from traditional cupping, and its applications for pain relief, mobility, and recovery in both athletes a...
Licensed massage therapists Matt and Aaron Pendola dive deep into whether foam rolling and self-myofascial release actually work, drawing on over 20 years of combined experience...
Host Heather Love interviews Fiona McDonagh, a holistic wellness coach and five element acupuncturist from Ireland, about her journey into alternative healing. Fiona explains ho...
Dr. Stephen Cabral, a board-certified doctor of naturopathy who trained at a traditional Chinese medicine hospital in China, breaks down a recent study published in the Public L...
Massage therapist and wellness coach Cayle Alldredge demonstrates cupping therapy as her tip of the week, inspired by a client asking how to reduce pain beyond at-home remedies ...
Steve Prusak interviews Shannon Gilmartin, a licensed massage therapist with nearly 20 years of experience and author of The Guide to Modern Cupping Therapy. Shannon shares how ...
Emily and Vanessa of Wellness Myths interview Dr. Danielle Reghi, a licensed acupuncturist with a doctorate in acupuncture and Chinese medicine who co-owns the Zen Space Wellnes...
Dr. Soma interviews Dr. Tom Ingegno, a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine with over two decades of experience and author of The Cupping Book. Dr. Tom is the founder of C...
Dr. Yami interviews Dr. Tom Ingegno, a licensed acupuncturist with 23 years of experience and bestselling author of The Cupping Book. The episode focuses on making cupping acces...
Michelle Dreilich of Evolving Ageless interviews Lisa Dowling, an East Asian medicine practitioner who developed a facial cupping curriculum specifically for anti-aging. Lisa ex...
Erin Holt of The Functional Nutrition Podcast interviews Sakina, an acupuncturist and massage therapist known as "the facial cupping expert." Erin shares that she personally pur...
Physical therapists Josh and Brandon from the Better Faster Podcast provide an evidence-based clinical perspective on cupping therapy. They discuss the science (or lack thereof)...
Justin and Dr. Sydnee McElroy of Sawbones deliver an entertaining and thoroughly researched history of cupping therapy, prompted by seeing Michael Phelps' cupping marks at the O...