Cupping Therapy: Benefits, Risks & How Often

How Often Should You Do Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy has become a popular wellness practice, providing benefits like pain relief, reduced inflammation, and improved blood flow. But how often is it safe and effective to use this traditional technique? Here we'll explore ideal cupping frequency and volume based on expert insight.

Understanding Cupping Therapy

Cupping involves placing specialized cups on the skin to create suction and gently draw tissues upward into the cup. Practitioners use cups made of materials like glass, bamboo, silicone, or plastic. There are two main suctioning methods:

• Dry/air cupping uses manual pumps to extract air and create negative pressure inside the cups.
• Wet/fire cupping relies on heat to burn oxygen before applying cups to form a vacuum.

The negative pressure from cupping is thought to increase blood flow, loosen adhesions, stimulate acupuncture points, and provide myofascial release. Treatment areas commonly include the back, neck, shoulders, and limbs.

General Cupping Frequency Recommendations

There are no defined medical standards for optimal cupping frequency. Recommendations vary based on factors like health goals, sensitivity, and practitioner experience. However, general guidelines suggest:

• 1-2 times per week for general health maintenance and relaxation
• 2-3 times per week when treating new injuries, pain, or strains
• 1-4 times per month for sportspeople during training periods
• 1-2 times per month for maintenance after therapeutic goals are met

Daily cupping is typically not recommended, even for therapeutic use. Your practitioner may suggest more frequent sessions early on when addressing an acute condition, followed by a tapered schedule.

Cupping Frequency for Pain and Injury

Research on cupping therapy for pain shows sessions 2-3 times per week may offer optimal results. For example:

• A 2020 meta-analysis found cupping 3x a week significantly improved chronic neck and shoulder pain after 4 weeks.
• A 2018 study observed reduced acute lower back pain from 2 cupping sessions per week for 2 weeks.
• Cupping 2x a week for 6 weeks improved pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis patients per a 2017 study.

When introducing cupping to address muscular injury or body pain, starting with 2 sessions per week allows positive effects to accumulate while monitoring tissue response and tolerance.

Cupping Frequency for Blood Flow and Circulation

Boosting blood flow and circulation is another aim of cupping therapy. For these goals, research again indicates twice weekly sessions may be ideal:

• A 2019 study found wet cupping 2x per week improved blood pressure and arterial health markers over 4 weeks.
• In a small 2017 trial, dry cupping 2x weekly raised microcirculation and capillary density after just 8 sessions.
• 2x a week cupping was shown to reduce risk factors like high blood lipids and glucose in a 2012 clinical study.

The mechanical suction action of cupping is thought to open blood vessels and stimulate fluid dynamics. Applying cups 2x weekly seems to provide steady circulatory effects without overstraining the system.

Cupping for Relaxation and Skin Health

Some devotees use cupping primarily for relaxation and skin benefits versus medical treatment. For more general wellness goals, most practitioners recommend 1-2 weekly sessions.

• 1-2x a week cupping massages may help reduce stress and tension levels for improved well-being.
• Applying cups once or twice weekly can enhance skin texture, tone, and complexion over time.
• Cupping 1-2x per week on areas like the lower legs and stomach may help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Listening to your body is important here - increase or decrease frequency based on your comfort and observable skin/health changes.

Ideal Cupping Frequency by Condition

beyond general guidelines, appropriate cupping frequency often depends on the specific health condition or complaint. Ideal treatment schedules may include:

• Digestive issues - 1-3x weekly during active symptoms then tapered to 1-2x monthly for maintenance.
• Respiratory problems - 1-3x per week at the onset then lowered to 1-2x monthly once stabilized.
• Migraines/headaches - 2x weekly during migraine flares, down to 1x monthly once improved.
• Fatigue - 1-2x per week when actively symptomatic, dropping to 1x monthly once energy increases.
• Eczema/psoriasis - 2x weekly during flares, lowering to 1x monthly in remission.

Talk to your TCM practitioner about tailoring your cupping schedule according to specific health goals and observed response.

Modifying Cupping Frequency and Dosage

Adjusting your cupping frequency may be indicated in these situations:

• Increase frequency if your condition is not improving as expected.
• Reduce frequency if you experience significant discomfort, pain, or side effects.
• Raise frequency if you have a high pain tolerance and aren't getting desired results.
• Lower frequency if you have a low pain tolerance and cannot handle more sessions.
• Add more sessions during periods of high stress or seasonal illness vulnerability.

Your practitioner will also modify your cupping dosage over time by:

• Increasing the number of cups used per session to intensify effects.
• Moving cup placement to treat additional areas as needed.
• Changing cup suction strength based on your response and feedback.
• Adjusting session duration to deliver higher or lower cupping doses.

Stay communicative about your experience so your therapy can be tailored accordingly for the best results.

Guidelines for Safe and Effective Cupping Sessions

To help make your cupping therapy as beneficial as possible:

• Have sessions at the same time of day if doing multiple times a week.
• Maintain good hydration and nutrition to support healing.
• Avoid alcohol, stimulants, blood thinners, and anticoagulants prior to treatment.
• Rest after sessions to integrate effects.
• Use topical arnica, vitamin E oil, or aloe vera gel to soothe skin.
• Supplement with acupuncture, massage, or stretching for enhanced impact.
• Communicate closely with your practitioner about your response.

Properly cleansing skin and avoiding cupping over wounds, fractures, cancers, or blood clots is also advised for safety.

Signs You May Need Less Frequent Cupping

Reduce how often you receive cupping if you notice:

• Severe or lasting pain, bruising, blistering, or burns
• Dizziness, nausea, headache, or migraine flares after treatment
• Congestion, cough, or breathlessness following sessions
• No improvement or worsening of your condition after several treatments
• Flu-like fatigue, achiness, or malaise after cupping
• Skin irritation, rashes, or other possible allergic reactions

Your practitioner can adjust variables like cup suction strength and placement to reduce side effects. But lowering treatment frequency may be prudent if reactions are significant.

Ensuring Cupping Therapy Safety

To use cupping in a safe, responsible manner:

• Get treated by a licensed acupuncturist or TCM practitioner familiar with cupping protocols.
• Avoid self-treatment, especially fire cupping which requires training.
• Start slowly and scale up cupping frequency gradually.
• Use sterile cups and proper hygiene practices to prevent infection.
• Listen to your body and err on the side of less frequent sessions.
• Communicate about any concerning symptoms or reactions.
• Discontinue cupping if you experience adverse effects.

While generally low risk, cupping may not be appropriate for every individual. Careful technique and professional guidance can optimize safety.

The Takeaway

Cupping offers therapeutic potential from increased blood flow, pain relief, and other gains. Typical frequency recommendations are:

• 1-2x weekly for general wellness and skin benefits
• 2-3x weekly when treating new injuries or pain
• 1-4x monthly for athletes in training
• 1-2x monthly for maintenance after meeting treatment goals

Adjust your individualized cupping schedule based on health needs, response, tolerance, and practitioner guidance for safe, effective use.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.