DRY CUPPING
Dry Cupping: How It Works, Benefits and Safety
Dry cupping is a non-invasive cupping therapy that uses controlled suction without skin incisions or blood removal. This guide explains what dry cupping is, how it works, its potential benefits, safety considerations and what current research suggests.
In short:
Dry cupping uses suction cups placed on the skin without making incisions. It is commonly used to support muscle relaxation, recovery and pain management, although the strength of evidence varies depending on the condition and outcome.
Table of Contents
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What does the research say?
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What Is Dry Cupping?
Dry cupping is a non-invasive form of cupping therapy that uses negative pressure to lift the skin and superficial tissues into a cup. Unlike wet cupping, dry cupping does not involve skin incisions or blood removal.
The cups may be made from plastic, glass, silicone or other materials and are applied to selected areas of the body for a limited period of time. The suction can be created manually, mechanically or with a pump, depending on the type of cup and treatment method used.
Dry cupping is commonly used as a complementary therapy for muscle tension, physical recovery and some pain-related complaints. The response can vary between individuals, and the strength of scientific evidence depends on the condition being studied.
Key Point
Dry cupping uses suction only. There are no skin incisions and no blood is removed.
How Does Dry Cupping Work?
When a cup is applied to the skin, negative pressure draws the skin and superficial tissues upward. This produces temporary mechanical stress in the treated area and may influence local sensory and tissue responses.
Researchers have proposed several possible mechanisms for cupping, including changes in local blood flow, stimulation of sensory pathways and temporary effects on muscle tension. However, the exact biological mechanisms responsible for any clinical benefits are not fully established.
The strength of suction, duration of application, number of cups and treatment location can vary according to the technique and individual assessment.
What Are the Potential Benefits of Dry Cupping?
Potential dry cupping benefits are most commonly discussed in relation to muscle tension, pain, physical recovery and relaxation.
Some people report temporary reductions in discomfort or muscle tightness after treatment, while research has also explored cupping for several musculoskeletal complaints. However, findings are not consistent across every condition or population.
For this reason, dry cupping benefits should be considered according to the individual, the reason for treatment and the quality of available evidence rather than as guaranteed outcomes.
Muscle Relaxation and Physical Recovery
Dry cupping is commonly used to support muscle relaxation, particularly in areas affected by tightness, fatigue or physical overuse. The suction may create temporary changes in tissue tension and sensation that some people experience as reduced tightness or greater comfort.
Dry cupping is also used by some physically active individuals as part of a broader recovery routine. Research into exercise recovery and muscle soreness remains limited, so it should not be presented as a proven method for improving athletic performance or accelerating recovery in every person.
Appropriate rest, exercise progression and rehabilitation remain important when managing persistent muscle symptoms or sports-related problems.
Pain and Mobility Support
Cupping therapy has been studied for a variety of pain-related and musculoskeletal complaints. Some studies report short-term reductions in pain intensity or improvements in physical function, although results vary.
Improved comfort after treatment may also make movement feel easier for some individuals. This does not necessarily mean that dry cupping changes the underlying structure of a joint, muscle or other tissue.
Dry cupping is therefore better viewed as a possible supportive therapy within a broader management plan when pain or restricted movement requires medical assessment, exercise or rehabilitation.
What Happens During a Dry Cupping Session?
A dry cupping session usually begins with an individual assessment to identify the treatment area, relevant symptoms and any factors that may affect suitability.
Cups are then placed on selected areas of the body and suction is created using the chosen technique. The cups remain in place for a limited period before being removed.
The number of cups, suction strength and duration of application may vary between individuals. Some techniques also involve moving silicone cups across the skin rather than leaving them stationary.
After the cups are removed, the treated area is checked and appropriate aftercare advice can be provided.
Dry Cupping Marks and Temporary Skin Changes
Circular marks are common after dry cupping because suction affects the skin and superficial blood vessels. Their colour can range from light pink or red to darker purple depending on suction strength, treatment duration and individual skin response.
These marks are not the same as an ordinary traumatic bruise and often fade gradually over several days, although the exact duration varies between individuals.
Temporary tenderness, sensitivity or mild skin irritation can also occur. Persistent pain, blistering, signs of infection or other unusual symptoms should be assessed appropriately.
Is Dry Cupping Safe?
Dry cupping does not involve skin incisions, but appropriate assessment, hygiene and careful technique are still important.
Common temporary effects can include circular skin marks, mild tenderness, local sensitivity and temporary discomfort during suction. Strong suction or prolonged application may increase the likelihood of skin irritation or blistering.
Dry cupping should be applied carefully to suitable areas of healthy skin and adapted according to individual tolerance and health status.
Who May Need Extra Caution With Dry Cupping?
Dry cupping may not be appropriate over active skin infections, open wounds, recent injuries or areas of significant skin damage.
Additional caution may also be appropriate for people with certain bleeding disorders, fragile skin, serious medical conditions or those taking medications that increase bruising or bleeding risk.
Pregnancy may require modification or avoidance of certain treatment areas. A proper health assessment helps determine whether cupping is appropriate and whether another form of care may be more suitable.
What Does the Research Say About Dry Cupping?
Research on cupping therapy has examined pain, musculoskeletal symptoms, physical function and other outcomes. Some clinical studies and systematic reviews report improvements in selected pain-related conditions.
However, not all studies investigate dry cupping separately from wet cupping or other cupping techniques. This makes it difficult to attribute every reported outcome specifically to dry cupping.
Differences in treatment protocols, participant groups, comparison treatments and outcome measures also contribute to uncertainty when interpreting the evidence.
How Strong Is the Evidence for Dry Cupping?
The evidence for dry cupping varies by condition and outcome. Some findings are promising, particularly within musculoskeletal and pain-related research, but the overall evidence base has important limitations.
Common problems include small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, differences in cupping techniques and variation in study quality. In some reviews, multiple forms of cupping are analysed together, making conclusions about dry cupping alone less certain.
Dry cupping is therefore best described as a complementary therapy with potential benefits in selected situations rather than a universally proven treatment.
Evidence Note:
Evidence from general cupping research should not automatically be interpreted as evidence for dry cupping specifically.
Summary: What Is Dry Cupping and What May It Help With?
Dry cupping is a non-invasive cupping technique that uses suction without skin incisions or blood removal.
It is commonly used to support muscle relaxation, pain management, physical recovery and general comfort. Some research suggests potential benefits in selected musculoskeletal and pain-related settings, but the strength of evidence varies.
Individual responses differ, and dry cupping should be used as a complementary approach rather than a replacement for necessary medical assessment, treatment or rehabilitation.
Key Takeaway:
Dry cupping may support pain relief, muscle relaxation and recovery in some individuals, but benefits cannot be guaranteed and evidence remains condition-specific.
SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES
References
01
Jenkins LC, Verhagen AP, Amorim M, et al.
The Efficacy of Dry Cupping Compared to Placebo Cupping for People With Musculoskeletal Complaints: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.
JOSPT Open. 2026;4(1):23–35.
DOI: 10.2519/josptopen.2025.0159
PMID: 42686168
This systematic review found that the effects of dry cupping on musculoskeletal pain remained very uncertain. The certainty of evidence was very low, and most included trials had a high risk of bias. PubMed
02
Wood S, Fryer G, Tan LLF, Cleary C.
Dry cupping for musculoskeletal pain and range of motion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020;24(4):503–518.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.06.024
PMID: 33218554
The review included 21 randomized controlled trials with 1,049 participants. Dry cupping showed potential benefits for pain and function in some musculoskeletal conditions, but the overall evidence was low to moderate in quality and did not allow firm conclusions about effectiveness or safety. PubMed
03
Salemi MM, Gomes VMSA, Bezerra LMR, et al.
Effect of Dry Cupping Therapy on Pain and Functional Disability in Persistent Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2021;14(6):219–230.
DOI: 10.51507/j.jams.2021.14.6.219
PMID: 35770601
In this small randomized trial, dry cupping produced greater short-term improvements in pain and disability than sham cupping in people with persistent non-specific low back pain. The study involved only 37 participants, so the findings should be interpreted cautiously. PubMed
04
Silva HJA, Barbosa GM, Silva RS, et al.
Dry cupping therapy is not superior to sham cupping to improve clinical outcomes in people with non-specific chronic low back pain: a randomised trial.
J Physiother. 2021;67(2):132–139.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphys.2021.02.013
PMID: 33757719
In this randomized trial of 90 participants, dry cupping was not superior to sham cupping for pain, physical function, mobility or other measured outcomes in chronic non-specific low back pain. PubMed
05
Xu R, Yang Y, Yan C, et al.
Dry cupping therapy combined with conventional therapy does not provide additional benefits over conventional therapy alone in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain: a randomized trial.
Chiropr Man Therap. 2025;33:26.
DOI: 10.1186/s12998-025-00588-x
PMID: 40524196
Adding dry cupping to a conventional rehabilitation program did not provide additional improvements in pain, disability or pressure-pain thresholds compared with conventional therapy alone over four weeks. PubMed
05
Chen CL, Tang JS.
Effects of dry cupping on exercise, autonomic activity and sleep in baseball players during preseason and in-season conditioning.
PLoS One. 2025;20(2):e0319479.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319479
In university baseball players, dry cupping did not improve peak power, peak oxygen consumption or anaerobic threshold. Some changes in post-exercise autonomic recovery and sleep-related outcomes were reported, suggesting that recovery effects require further investigation. PLOS
Written by
Dr Amr Salama, DPT
DPT, Cairo University • Licensed Physiotherapist in Dubai • MOHAP-Licensed Hijama Practitioner
Dr Amr Salama writes and reviews evidence-informed educational content on Hijama, cupping therapy, rehabilitation and related health topics.
Last reviewed
October 2026