A Cupping Adventure for the Chronically Curious

by Antonia at Unremarkable Me

Let’s talk about cupping. Yes, that thing that looks like an octopus decided to make out with your back. You’ve seen the bruises. Maybe on athletes. Maybe Gwyneth Paltrow. Maybe your mate from yoga who insists their chi is finally aligned. Cupping has left the wellness chat and sprinted into the mainstream—and for those of us with chronic illnesses like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), it's natural to wonder: Is this yet another fad that will leave us sore, broke, and vaguely gaslit? Or is there actually something to it?

I rolled up my metaphorical sleeves and got investigating.

What Is Cupping, Anyway?

Okay, confession time: I have the sense of humour of a toddler, so yes—the word cupping makes me giggle. Every. Single. Time. It sounds like something you shouldn’t say at the dinner table unless you’re discussing teacups or livestock. And let’s be honest—it has officially joined the same column as moist, ointment, and panties in the Grand Lexicon of Words That Make You Cringe and Laugh Against Your Will.

But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cupping is actually a serious therapy with roots going back thousands of years.

It involves placing cups (glass, silicone, or sometimes bamboo) on the skin to create suction. This suction is believed to:

• Promote blood flow

• Move Qi (energy/life force)

• Clear stagnation (basically the TCM way of saying your body’s stuck in traffic)

• Relieve muscle tension, inflammation, and even congestion

There are different flavours of cupping:

• Dry cupping: Suction only, no blood.

• Wet cupping: Includes light skin pricks to draw out a little blood—used more in Islamic medicine than modern TCM clinics.

• Moving cupping: Cups are glided along oiled skin. Think deep tissue massage with suction cups.

• Fire cupping: Involves actual flames to create suction. Yes, it looks dramatic. Yes, it requires someone who really knows what they’re doing.

And yes, all of them can leave you looking like a polka-dotted peach with boundary issues.

What’s the Deal for People with Chronic Illness?

From a TCM perspective, symptoms like chronic fatigue, joint pain, GI dysregulation, and muscle tightness—sound familiar?—are interpreted as signs of:

• Qi and blood stagnation

• Spleen/kidney deficiency

• Wind-damp-cold invasion (no, not a Tolkien villain, just a way of saying your body’s in chaos)

So in theory, cupping might help by restoring energetic flow. But in practice—especially for those of us with complex chronic illnesses like EDS—the story’s more complicated.

What Does the Science Say?

Modern research on cupping is not robust, but it’s not nonexistent either. A few interesting findings:

• Cupping may provide short-term relief for chronic neck and back pain. Cao et al., 2012 - BMC Complement Altern Med

• It might improve mobility and reduce muscle tightness. Lee et al., 2011 - Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

• Suction increases local blood flow, which could help with healing or inflammation. Tham et al., 2006 - Complementary Therapies in Medicine

But here’s the rub: almost none of this research is specific to connective tissue disorders, and nothing yet is published on EDS specifically. Most evidence is anecdotal and unregulated.

What You Really Need to Know if You Have EDS

EDS means our bodies are a little more... bespoke. Our collagen isn’t the standard issue. We come with:

• Fragile skin

• Poor wound healing

• Easy bruising

• Joint instability

• Autonomic fun like POTS or MCAS

So while cupping might help some people with:

• Muscle tightness or guarding

• Fascial restrictions

• Lymphatic drainage

…it can also go very wrong.

Red Flags:

• Vascular EDS? Avoid cupping. Seriously.

• Skin fragility or poor healing? Proceed only with extreme caution.

• On blood thinners or anticoagulants? Check with your doctor first.

• Recent allergic flare or MCAS episode? Let your body rest.

Even light cupping can cause capillary rupture, deep bruising, or prolonged soreness—and in our bodies, “prolonged” can mean weeks.

But Can It Help?

Maybe. Some folks with hEDS say:

• It’s gentler than deep tissue massage

• It helps with fascia release

• It provides relaxation and parasympathetic reset

If you’re going to try it:

• Start small: one cup, one area, one minute

• Use light suction only (silicone cups are best)

• Avoid joints, spine, or visible veins

• Work with a practitioner who actually understands EDS

And be honest with yourself: if your skin hates tight socks, suction therapy might be a no from the get-go.

Post-Cupping Care (a.k.a. “Now What?”)

After a session, watch for:

• Bruising that lasts longer than 7–10 days

• Blistering, skin breakdown, or hyperpigmentation

• Dizziness or flare-up of POTS-like symptoms

• Increased fatigue or soreness

To soothe the aftermath:

• Apply arnica or a cold compress

• Hydrate and rest

• Avoid stretching the area like you’re prepping for Cirque du Soleil

TL;DR Summary

✅ Might Help With	⚠️ Risks (Especially for EDS)
Muscle tension	Easy bruising, tissue damage
Fascia tightness	Vascular injury (especially with vEDS)
Nervous system calming	Possible flares, dysautonomia triggers
Circulation/lymphatic flow	Long healing time, skin fragility

Final Thoughts

Cupping is one of those treatments that exists in the blurry space between ancient ritual and Instagram aesthetic. For some, it’s a soothing tool in their chronic illness kit. For others, it’s a flashy gateway to a flare-up.

If you're curious—go slow, know your subtype, and don’t be afraid to say no if your body says nope. You don’t need to bruise to prove you’re proactive.

And remember: your caution isn’t paranoia. It’s wisdom. Hard-earned, well-honed, and beautifully valid.

Got questions, stories, or a particularly memorable suction mark you’ve named? Drop them in the comments. I’ll bring the arnica.