What do cupping marks colors tell you about the state of your body

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which the therapist applies vacuum cups to the skin to generate suction, pulling the skin and underlying tissue upward. Traditionally, a vacuum is created by placing a flame inside the cup for a few seconds before using it.

The procedure stimulates microcirculation, activates the lymphatic system to drain excess fluids and toxins, relieves muscle pain and soreness, promotes cell repair, increases local tissue metabolism, and generally triggers the body’s natural healing processes. It is often used as a kind of deep-tissue massage for people who suffer from muscle tension or chronic muscle pain to the point that their “knots” become too hard or too sore to touch.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cupping therapy Báguàn is more than just a supportive treatment. It’s commonly practiced to restore the natural flow of vital energy (“Qi”) and thus correct imbalances of bodily systems that are believed to be the cause of most ailments.

Chinese cupping therapy Báguàn: understanding the basics

One thing about cupping therapy that always catches someone’s eye is the distinctive round patches on the skin that are left behind after the treatment. These so-called cupping marks look like bruises, can vary in color from light blue to deep purple, and may be accompanied by mild discomfort or tenderness in the affected area. Yet they are considered a sign that cupping therapy has effectively released tension and increased circulation in the body.

Let’s break down some common misconceptions about cupping marks first.

❗Cupping marks are not bruises

The marks left by cupping therapy are often misinterpreted as bruises, but they are completely different. Bruises appear on the skin when impact, trauma, or even a muscle strain causes the blood vessels to burst and leak blood into the surrounding tissues. The bruised area (hematoma) is usually painful, tender, and accompanied by swelling and warmth, which is the body’s inflammatory response to the injury.

Properly applied cupping suction just pulls blood to the surface of the skin without damaging blood vessels, so it should not be perceived by the body as an injury and trigger the body’s immune system response to initiate the healing process. This is why cupping marks, however dark they may appear, are typically painless, and if there is any discomfort, it is minimal and goes away quickly.

To be fair, if the cupping therapy is applied for too long or with too much pressure, it can lead to some petechiae (tiny red dots) or even mild capillary ruptures, with a small amount of bleeding, true bruises, and tenderness within and beyond the periphery of a cupping mark. Serious dark cupping marks (purple or black) along with cupping bruises tend to represent poor cupping practice.

❗Cupping marks are not merely unwanted substances being released

Some practitioners believe that the circular marks represent areas where bodily toxic products, being sucked from deeper tissues to the surface by the drawing power of the cupping device, are accumulated. The more impurities were dredged up during therapy, the darker the spot.

Indeed, our tissues are constantly receiving cellular waste and harmful foreign material, and if the natural detoxification system is disrupted, these substances accumulate in the body, negatively affecting health. We can accelerate the cleansing process by stimulating circulation to speed up the flushing of them – that is where cupping really can do a great job!

However, these unwanted substances are contained in cupping marks in low concentrations. If dark spots on the surface of the skin appeared due only to toxin accumulation, then this would indicate such a high level of intoxication that the patient would require emergency hospitalization rather than a cupping session.

Laboratory analysis shows that

cupping marks are localized congestions of tissue fluid with a complex composition. This concentrated fluid is densely saturated with red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma – leaked out from blood capillaries, the lymph – leaked out from the lymphatic vessels, as well as with cellular debris and many other substances, including proteins, fats, minerals, toxins, and germs.

This cocktail is drawn from the underlying tissue layers closer to the surface by vacuum pressure created by the cups. After a while, the congestion will resolve itself, and its content will return to the bloodstream for further excretion.

The exact composition of the extracted mixture varies depending on individual circulation peculiarities. The flow of blood and lymph may be slowed or obstructed due to a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, or chronic muscle tension caused by overwork. Stagnant blood that’s not flowing well differs in its characteristics from fresh, circulating blood.

First, it has increased concentrations of red blood cells, that contain hemoglobin, giving the cupping marks their red color. However, stagnant blood, especially in venous circulation where oxygen exchange has occurred, has lower oxygen levels and higher carbon dioxide levels due to a lack of exchange with fresh air in the lungs. Thus, stagnant blood has a darker, more bluish-red appearance compared to fresh one, containing oxygenated hemoglobin, which is bright red.

Stagnant blood and lymph become overwhelmed with metabolic waste products and other pathogens, which could introduce or exacerbate existing inflammation or infection. As an immune response to this, the concentration of white blood cells in stagnant blood might also be increased. Lastly, stagnant blood is thicker and more viscous due to increased cell concentration and potential clotting.

Blood stasis in traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese doctors consider blood not only a vital fluid that nourishes the body but also an integral part and a carrier of Qi, the body’s life force, which activates and moves blood. When Qi flows smoothly, blood circulates efficiently, supporting health and vitality.

There are also two balancing forces within the body, Yin and Yang. Yang represents warmth, activity, and movement, while Yin represents cold, stillness, and substance. Blood is considered a Yin substance because it is dense, substantive, and fluid compared to Qi, which is more Yang.

Blood stagnation is the root of many ailments

Any health issues are caused by a disruption of the harmonious interplay of these four factors. In particular, deficiency or stagnation of Qi or Yin leads to a deficiency or stagnation of the blood, and vice versa. Since of all four only blood has a physical essence, blood stasis is regarded to be an underlying factor in many diseases and a crucial diagnostic condition in TCM.

So, what do the different cupping mark colors mean, according to Chinese doctors?

The colors of cupping marks can help Chinese medicine practitioners make assumptions about the energy patterns and overall health of the person receiving the therapy. However, as these colors are also affected by the intensity and duration of cupping, individual skin sensitivity, etc., qualified TCM doctors usually interpret them in conjunction with other diagnostic methods – particularly, pulse diagnosis and tongue examination.

Qi and blood deficiency

The pale or white color may indicate weak Qi energy or insufficient quality of blood to nourish the treated area. The main causes of this condition are usually overwork, poor diet (lacking in blood-nourishing foods, especially animal products), poor digestion (being unable to transform food into blood), sudden traumatic loss of blood, heavy periods, excessive stress, sleep deprivation, as well as chronic illness, weak constitution, or old age.

Healthy blood circulation

The slightly pink or light-red color is commonly interpreted as a sign of healthy blood circulation in the area. Also, it might mean that the Qi flow probably has no significant stagnation or blockages. Such marks will not stick around for long and usually disappear within a few days.

Disbalanse of Qi caused by excess Yang

The bright red or deep scarlet color may indicate that Qi and blood flow normally, but there is an imbalance of Yin and Yang in the body’s energy, caused by an excess of Yang and a deficiency of Yin. Other symptoms of excessive Yang may include high fever, dryness in the mouth, headache, rapid pulse, and agitation. In Western medical terms, a Yang excess typically represents an infection that triggers a strong inflammatory response with excessive heat and inflammation in the body.

Dark-red marking is the most common body response. It generally indicates Qi and blood stagnation that involves blockages or sluggish circulation of these vital substances, leading to the accumulation of blood in certain areas. As mentioned above, such blood carries less oxygen, appearing darker due to the lack of fresh oxygenated blood flow. The darker the color, the more stagnation is present.

Moderate Qi and blood stagnation

The medium shades of pink or red might suggest mild stagnation. This can be due to emotional factors like stress or unresolved emotions, as well as physical factors like poor posture, overtraining, or, on the contrary, lack of movement. The symptoms may also include distending pain or discomfort, especially in the chest or abdomen, mood swings, irritability, and a sensation of something being stuck in the throat. Normally, it takes a day or two for this color to fade.

Severe Qi and blood stagnation

The deep red, purple, or even black color could indicate the presence of older, deoxygenated blood with high cholesterol and cellular waste. Blackish marks are quite rare and might suggest long-term blood stasis. Other symptoms may include sharp or stabbing pain that is fixed in location, varicose veins, bloating, digestive issues, and menstrual irregularities. Severe Qi stagnation often affects the liver or kidney, the organs that regulate blood. It may take up to 3 weeks for the dark color to disperse.

A greenish or bluish color of the marks may suggest poor circulation and the accumulation of fluid, mucus, or phlegm in the body, caused by an excess of Yin and a deficiency of Yang. This condition, called dampness, is associated with heaviness, viscosity, and stickiness. Other symptoms of excessive body moisture may include swelling, joint pain and stiffness, and such skin problems as eczema or acne. In Western medical terms, the body’s failure to remove excessive fluid and the toxins contained therein usually refers to a sluggish lymphatic system.

Excess fluids

Pale blisters filled with clear discharge refer to excess amounts of fluid buildup that the body wants to expel, while yellowish discharge signifies excess dampness accompanied by heat. The blisters should not be popped but kept clean and dry to avoid infection.

Small capillary ruptures

Blueish spots are usually just minor hemorrhages caused by capillary ruptures due to excessive intensity of cup suction, as mentioned above.

Excess toxins

Little dark spots scattered along the cupping mark usually refer to excess amounts of toxins accumulated in the nearby tissues. This may also be a symptom of deep Qi and blood stagnation.

In some cases, though, there are no visible marks after cupping. This may indicate either that there are no significant imbalances in the area or that the suction power was insufficient.

How to treat сupping marks

● Avoid showering or swimming 12 hours after your treatment. Your skin after cupping is temporarily fragile, and rubbing the cupping area may cause damage and infection.

● Avoid cold wind or air conditioning and keep yourself warm. Your blood vessels are active and the pores are open wide, so it is easy to let the cold air enter the body and cause other diseases.

● Drink plenty of room temperature or warm water after your cupping session and the next day. This will help clear out your lymphatic system and get rid of the waste products.