Most hands-on treatment presses tissue down. Cupping does the opposite — cups create suction that lifts the tissue away from what is underneath it, decompressing the area and drawing blood into it.
What happens
Cups are placed on the skin and suction is applied. They may stay still for a few minutes, or be moved across the area with oil for a gliding effect. The sensation is a firm pull rather than pressure — unusual at first, but not generally uncomfortable.
About the marks
Cupping can leave round, dark marks for a few days up to a week or so. They are not bruises in the usual sense and are not normally sore, but they are visible — worth planning around if you have an event, a holiday or a wedding coming up.
When it is used
Useful on broad areas like the back where it covers ground efficiently, and on tissue that has not responded to direct pressure — sometimes lifting works where pressing has not.