What It Is: Cupping is a classic traditional Chinese therapy where small cups are suctioned onto the skin to improve circulation and “draw out toxins.” If you’ve ever seen athletes or celebrities with round bruise-like marks on their backs, that’s from cupping. In Chinese, it’s called bá guàn, literally “suction cups.” The practice involves using glass, bamboo, or plastic cups; traditionally, a flame is used inside the cup to create a vacuum before quickly placing it on the skin. The result is a tight pulling sensation and those distinctive circular red/purple marks that can last for a few days. Cupping is not a daily thing people do, but it’s a widely used folk therapy for aches, pains, or when you’re feeling under the weather.
Underlying Idea: In the view of Chinese medicine, cupping helps “expel wind and dampness” from the body and unblock stagnated qi and blood. It’s often done to alleviate back and neck pain, treat respiratory issues like coughs, or even just to boost immunity. By creating suction on the skin, cupping is thought to draw out “toxins” and negative energy to the surface. You’ll hear practitioners explain that the dark purple marks are 湿毒 (damp toxins) or 瘀血 (stagnant blood) being brought up. Essentially, it’s believed to suck out the bad so fresh blood and qi can flow better. Modern sports therapists might frame it as increasing local blood circulation and relieving muscle tension – which aligns with the traditional thinking too. This method has been part of TCM for over a thousand years, and while the science is debated, many Chinese people swear by it as a cure for “internal cold”, muscle knots, and fatigue.
The Experience: If you sign up for cupping, it’s often done in conjunction with a massage or acupuncture session. You’ll typically lie face down, and the therapist may rub some oil on your back to move cups around later (for sliding cupping technique). When it’s time to cup, you might hear the clink of glass and see the therapist holding a cotton ball with alcohol set ablaze briefly inside a cup – it’s fast and not as scary as it sounds! They snuff out the flame and pop the cup onto your skin – usually on fleshy areas of the back or shoulders. Instantly, your skin is sucked up into the cup. It feels like a strong vacuum grip – tight, a bit pinchy at first, but not painful. They will place multiple cups (anywhere from 4 to 12, depending on the area and size). Then you lay there with the cups suctioned on for about 5–15 minutes. After a minute or two, the initial tightness dulls and it just feels warm and pressure-y. Sometimes they might gently move the cups around (that gives a deep massaging scrape feeling) or simply leave them stationary. When the time’s up, the therapist releases the suction (usually by lifting one edge of the cup to let air in) and removes the cups one by one. You’ll instantly feel relief when each cup comes off, and sometimes a cool sensation as the air hits the spot.
How It Feels: During cupping, you feel a combination of pressure and warmth. The flame-heated cups often warm the skin, which can be relaxing. The pressure is like a tight pinch or like someone giving you a big hickey! You can usually handle it, but if a cup is on a bony spot or you feel too much discomfort, you can ask them to remove it sooner. Many people find it oddly relieving – as if tension is literally being vacuumed away. After the cups are removed, you might feel a bit lightheaded for a moment as your body readjusts (some say it’s from qi rushing back in). Your skin where the cups were will likely be reddened or purple. Don’t be alarmed by the marks – the color actually is used as a diagnostic by TCM folks: dark purple means a lot of “stagnation” was present, while light pink means less. The marks do not usually hurt; they may feel slightly tender like a mild sunburn if anything. You can touch them – it’s just surface petechiae (tiny blood vessels) that have burst due to suction. Over the next few days, the marks change colors like bruises (from purple to brownish to yellow-green) and fade away, typically within a week. Many wear them proudly as a badge of having tried authentic TCM!
Benefits: Right after cupping, most people feel loose and relaxed. If you had muscle knots, they often feel less intense because the suction acts like a reverse deep tissue massage, lifting the muscle and fascia. Chinese practitioners would say it removes blood stagnation and promotes fresh blood flow, helping to relieve pain and inflammation. Some folks do cupping when they have a cold or fever – they believe it draws out the pathogenic wind and can shorten the illness. Indeed, you might feel clearer in the chest if you had congestion. Scientifically, cupping has been noted to possibly stimulate the immune system and reduce pain signals. One way or another, you’ll likely feel a nice reset. Plus, you get to entertain curious questions about your “octopus attack” bruises later – a fun travel story! Just keep the cupped areas warm and covered after (TCM warns against exposing those open pores to cold).
Where to Try: You can find cupping therapy at traditional Chinese medicine clinics, acupuncture centers, or massage studios across China. In cities like Beijing, Shanghai, or Xi’an, look for reputable TCM hospitals or clinics – many have departments for external therapies that include cupping. It’s often offered alongside acupuncture; for example, you might book an acupuncture session and ask for cupping as well. Price is typically moderate (perhaps ¥50–100, or ~$10, for a cupping add-on). If you’re already getting a massage at a local spa, ask if they do cupping – many masseuses keep a cupping set handy. For a very atmospheric experience, some bathhouses or “TCM wellness centers” offer fire cupping in old-style treatment rooms – imagine wood-paneled rooms with herbs everywhere. Hong Kong and Taiwan also have plenty of cupping practitioners if your travels take you there. Always ensure the facility uses clean, sterilized equipment and the practitioner is trained. Once those cups pop on, you’ll join the ranks of Michael Phelps and other cupping fans – experiencing a true East Asian remedy that has literally made its mark around the world.