You have probably seen the round, purple marks on a friend’s back or a swimmer’s shoulders and wondered what they were. That is cupping therapy, one of the oldest practices in traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM. It involves placing special cups on the skin to create suction, and it has become a familiar sight in Singapore, offered at many TCM clinics and wellness spaces. This guide explains what cupping therapy actually is, how dry and wet cupping differ, what those marks mean, and, most importantly, how to approach it safely and with realistic expectations.
Before anything else, the honest and important note. Cupping therapy is a traditional wellbeing practice, not a medical treatment or a cure for any disease. This article is general information, not medical advice. Cupping should be done by a trained, registered TCM practitioner, and it is not suitable for everyone. If you are pregnant, take blood thinners, have a skin or bleeding condition, or have any health concern, speak to a doctor before trying it, and see a doctor for any medical problem rather than relying on cupping.
What Cupping Therapy Is and Where It Comes From
Cupping has been used across many cultures for centuries, and the version most common in Singapore comes from TCM. A practitioner places cups, traditionally glass or bamboo, now often silicone or plastic, onto the skin and draws out the air to create gentle suction. That suction pulls the skin and surface tissue slightly upward into the cup.
In TCM thinking, this is said to encourage the flow of “qi” and blood and to ease stagnation. In plainer, modern terms, the suction increases local blood flow to the area and can feel like a deep, pulling massage. Many people simply find it relaxing and say their muscles feel looser afterwards. That subjective sense of relaxation and relief is the honest core of what cupping offers for general wellbeing. It is best thought of as a complementary comfort practice, not a substitute for medical care.
Dry Cupping Versus Wet Cupping
There are two broad approaches, and they are quite different. Understanding both helps you know what you are agreeing to before a session.
Dry cupping uses suction alone. The cups may be left in place for several minutes (static cupping) or moved across oiled skin in a gliding motion (sometimes called massage cupping). The skin is never broken. This is the more common form you will encounter.
Wet cupping involves the practitioner making tiny, superficial scratches on the skin before or during suction so that a small amount of blood is drawn into the cup. Because it breaks the skin, wet cupping carries a real infection risk if hygiene is poor and must only be done by a properly trained, registered practitioner using sterile, single-use equipment. Many people are far more comfortable starting with dry cupping.
Here is a simple comparison to keep the two clear.
| Aspect | Dry cupping | Wet cupping |
|---|---|---|
| Skin broken | No, suction only | Yes, tiny superficial scratches |
| How it feels | Firm pull, like deep massage | Pull plus minor pricking |
| Main risk | Bruise-like marks, soreness | Infection if not sterile, plus marks |
| Best suited to | Beginners, general relaxation | Only with a skilled, registered practitioner |
| Aftercare | Keep area clean and warm | Keep the small wounds clean and covered |
Whichever type you choose, ask the practitioner which one they are proposing and why, and never agree to wet cupping anywhere the equipment does not look clean and single-use.
Why Cupping Leaves Marks, and What They Mean
The circular marks are the thing everyone notices. They are not bruises from a knock, but they are bruise-like: the suction draws blood to the surface and some tiny vessels release blood into the surrounding tissue. The colour can range from light pink to deep purple, and the marks typically fade over several days to a couple of weeks.
A common myth is that darker marks prove more “toxins” were released. That is not accurate. Mark colour and duration vary from person to person and depend on factors like how close the vessels sit to the surface and how strong the suction was. Cupping does not remove toxins; your liver and kidneys do that job. The marks are simply a normal, temporary response to suction.
Practical points to remember:
– The marks are painless once the cups are off, though the area can feel a little tender.
– They can be visible in short sleeves or swimwear, so plan sessions around events if you would rather not show them.
– If a mark blisters, breaks the skin unexpectedly, or the area becomes hot, swollen or increasingly painful, see a doctor.
Staying Safe and Choosing a Practitioner
This is the part that matters most. Cupping is generally low-risk when done properly, but the “done properly” is doing a lot of work in that sentence.
- Go to a trained, registered practitioner. In Singapore, TCM practitioners are regulated, so choose a registered professional at a proper clinic rather than an untrained person offering cheap sessions. Ask about their training.
- Insist on hygiene, especially for wet cupping. Cups should be cleaned or single-use, and any wet cupping must use sterile, disposable blades. If anything looks reused or unclean, walk away.
- Speak up about your health. Tell the practitioner if you are pregnant, on blood thinners or aspirin, have diabetes, a bleeding disorder, anaemia, a heart condition, very fragile or sensitive skin, or any active skin problem.
- Avoid certain areas. Cups should not go over broken skin, sunburn, rashes, eczema, moles, varicose veins, or directly on the spine or bony areas without care.
- Mind the aftercare in our climate. After a session your skin is a little sensitive. Keep the area clean, avoid harsh sun on the marks, and stay hydrated. Singapore’s heat and sweat mean wet-cupping wounds in particular need to be kept clean and dry to lower infection risk.
Who Should Skip Cupping, and When to See a Doctor
Cupping is not for everyone, and honesty here protects you. Take extra care or avoid it entirely if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take blood-thinning medication, bruise very easily, have a bleeding or clotting disorder, poorly controlled diabetes, a skin infection or condition, or are frail or elderly. Children and anyone with a fever or an acute illness should also give it a miss.
Most importantly, cupping is not a treatment for medical conditions. If you have persistent back or muscle pain, headaches, breathing trouble, high blood pressure, or any ongoing symptom, see a doctor to find the cause. Do not delay proper medical care because a session made you feel temporarily better. Used sensibly, alongside rather than instead of medical advice, cupping therapy can be a relaxing part of a wellbeing routine. Approach it as a trained-hands comfort practice, keep your expectations realistic, and let a qualified doctor handle anything medical.