What does cupping do? What does it mean when the cups leave marks?
Cupping, like acupuncture and acupressure, stimulates points along the body’s five energy meridians to rebalance Qi/Blood, or life-force energy. Cupping is particularly effective at clearing congestion and stagnation and — because it draws blood to the capillaries — improving circulation. Cupping is also used in diagnosis; skin discoloration that occurs during the process can reveal important information about the flow of energy, or Qi/Blood, in the body. Occasionally the suction created by the cups will leave minor marking, which should disappear within 24 to 72 hours. These marks may occur at an acupuncture point where congestion or stagnation is being cleared.
