The research on cupping is extensive but uneven. More than a hundred randomised trials have been published, and systematic reviews show that cupping reduces neck and low back pain compared with no treatment, with moderate to large short-term effects. Compared with sham cupping or other active treatment the difference is small or uncertain, and researchers rate the quality of the evidence as low to moderate. Serious adverse events are rare when the technique is done correctly. Here we have gathered the key numbers, with a link to every source, so you can form your own view. If you want to know what cupping is and how it is done, start with Cupping – the complete guide.
The state of the research in brief
| Number | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 135 randomised trials | Number of cupping RCTs published 1992–2010, most from China. The authors rated quality as generally low and found no serious adverse events. | Cao et al., PLoS ONE 2012 (PubMed) |
| 72 trials, 5,720 participants | Updated meta-analysis of cupping for pain (trials 2014–2023). Conclusion: cupping seems to cause less harm than drugs for pain conditions, but the evidence on adverse events is of low quality. | Yiying et al., J Tradit Chin Med 2025 (PubMed) |
| 13 systematic reviews | Evidence map of cupping: six of the reviews showed potential benefit, including for low back pain, neck pain and knee osteoarthritis. | Choi et al., J Clin Med 2021 (DOI) |
Neck pain
| Study | Design | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Kim et al., BMJ Open 2018 (open access) | Meta-analysis of 18 RCTs | Compared with no intervention, pain fell by an average of 2.42 units (95% CI −3.98 to −0.86) and function improved (MD −4.34). The authors: the low quality of the evidence means definitive conclusions cannot be drawn. |
| Lauche et al., BMC Complement Altern Med 2011 (DOI) | 50 patients, five dry (static) cupping treatments over two weeks, versus waiting list | Pain at rest fell by 22.5 mm on a 100 mm scale (p = 0.00002), pain on movement by 17.8 mm. |
| Lauche et al., Complement Med Res 2017 (DOI) | 50 patients, five cupping massages (dynamic cupping) over 2.5 weeks, versus waiting list | Pain fell 14.3 mm more than in the control group (95% CI −27.7 to −1.0). Five mild adverse events were reported. |
| Lauche et al., PLoS ONE 2013 (DOI) | 61 patients, 12 weeks of home-based cupping massage (by a partner) versus progressive muscle relaxation | Both groups had less pain; no difference between the methods. Home cupping was thus equivalent to an established relaxation method. |
Our own steps are in Stiff neck and tight shoulders.
Low back pain
| Study | Design | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Zhang et al., Complement Ther Med 2024 (PubMed) | Meta-analysis of 11 RCTs, 921 participants | Large effect on pain right after the treatment period (d = 1.09; 95% CI 0.35–1.83) and a moderate effect on disability at 1–6 months' follow-up (d = 0.67). The effect on pain did not hold at 3–6 months. High heterogeneity between trials. |
| Wang et al., J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil 2017 (DOI) | Meta-analysis of 6 RCTs | Lower pain (SMD −0.73) and better function (ODI, SMD −3.64) compared with control. The authors warn of high heterogeneity and risk of bias. |
Self-care guide: Lower back pain – self-care with cupping.
Chronic pain in general
Cramer et al. (J Pain 2020, DOI) pooled 18 trials with 1,172 patients with chronic pain. Compared with no treatment the effect was large (SMD −1.03; 95% CI −1.41 to −0.65). Compared with sham cupping (SMD −0.27) and other active treatment (SMD −0.24) the difference was not statistically significant. Adverse events were more frequent with cupping than with no treatment, but not more frequent than with sham or other treatment. Conclusion: cupping might be a treatment option, but high-quality trials are needed.
This pattern, a clear effect against no treatment and a small difference against sham, is common for manual therapies and means that part of the benefit probably comes from touch, expectation and taking time for the body. That does not make the effect less real for the person who gets it, but it is worth knowing when you read promises about cupping.
Sport and recovery
Bridgett et al. (J Altern Complement Med 2018, DOI) reviewed 11 randomised trials with 498 amateur and professional athletes in football, handball, swimming, gymnastics and athletics, among others. Cupping was reported to reduce perceived pain and disability, increase range of motion and lower creatine kinase (a marker of muscle damage), mostly compared with untreated controls. Most trials had unclear or high risk of bias and none reported safety data, so the authors make no recommendation for or against. How we use cupping after training: Recovery after training – 5 tips.
What happens in the tissue?
Mo et al. (PLoS ONE 2024, DOI) measured oxygenated haemoglobin in the biceps with near-infrared spectroscopy in 18 healthy adults during five minutes of cupping at −300 mmHg. A cup with a 45 mm inner diameter produced a clearly larger increase in oxygenated haemoglobin (5.7 μM) than 40 mm and 35 mm cups. This supports what is seen in practice: a larger cup affects circulation in a larger and deeper area, which is why Curam's body cups are larger than the face cups. Read more in How to choose the right cupping cup.
Safety
- In the review of 135 RCTs, no serious adverse events were reported (Cao et al. 2012).
- In the meta-analysis of 1,172 chronic pain patients, adverse events were more frequent with cupping than with no treatment, but not more frequent than with sham cupping or other treatment (Cramer et al. 2020). The most common are the round marks, soreness and temporary redness.
- In the meta-analysis of 72 trials the authors judged that cupping seems to cause less harm than drugs for pain, with the caveat of low-quality evidence (Yiying et al. 2025).
- More serious complications in case reports (burns, infections, scarring) almost always involve wet cupping with skin incisions or fire cupping with glass cups, not dry cupping with silicone cups.
When not to cup: When to avoid cupping. About the marks: Cupping marks – what do they mean?
Search interest in Sweden
According to Ahrefs (12-month average, October 2026), Swedes search for "koppning" (cupping) about 1,400 times a month, "lymfmassage hemma" (lymphatic massage at home) 1,300, "koppningsmassage" 800, "koppning hemma" 400 and "ansiktskoppning" (face cupping) 150. We update the figures in our complete guide when we repeat the measurement.
How to read the numbers
- MD (mean difference) is the difference on a scale, for example millimetres on a 100 mm pain scale. SMD and d are standardised effect sizes: around 0.2 counts as small, 0.5 as moderate and 0.8 as large.
- 95% CI is the confidence interval. If it does not include zero, the effect is statistically significant.
- Heterogeneity means the trials differ in design and results, which makes the pooled value less certain.
- Most of the research concerns cupping performed by a practitioner. Trials on home cupping are few (Lauche 2013 is one of them), so for self-care: start gently, be consistent and follow how your body responds.
Frequently asked questions about the research
Is cupping scientifically proven?
There are more than a hundred randomised trials and several meta-analyses showing reduced neck and low back pain compared with no treatment. Against sham the difference is small or uncertain, and the quality of the evidence is rated low to moderate. Researchers call for larger and better trials.
How big is the effect on pain?
In the neck trials 14–22 mm less pain on a 100 mm scale compared with a waiting list. In the 2024 low back meta-analysis a large effect (d = 1.09) right after treatment, which faded after a few months.
Does cupping work for cellulite or the face according to the research?
There are essentially no controlled trials there. What we write about face cupping and cellulite is based on how cupping affects circulation and connective tissue and on practitioners' experience, not on randomised trials. We say so in those guides too.
Is cupping safe?
Dry cupping with silicone cups mainly causes temporary marks, soreness and redness. No serious adverse events were reported in the review of 135 trials. Serious complications in the literature almost always involve wet or fire cupping.
Why do you write about the limitations?
So that you can trust the rest. Cupping is a simple and safe recovery tool that many people find very helpful, but we want you to buy cups with the right expectations.
Written by Curam. Last updated 17 October 2026. This summary is general information and does not replace medical advice. Talk to your doctor before cupping if you are pregnant, take blood thinners or have a condition affecting skin, blood vessels or blood.
