Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy involves placing cups on the skin and creating controlled suction inside them.

The suction gently draws the skin and superficial tissues into the cup, producing a local mechanical effect.

Cupping has a long history of therapeutic use across different medical traditions. Today, different forms of cupping continue to be used in complementary musculoskeletal care and are also familiar in sports and recovery settings.

At Centre Algos, cupping is used according to the individual clinical situation rather than simply because a particular symptom is present.

Cupping can be used in different ways depending on the treatment goal and the condition being addressed.

At Centre Algos, it may be considered in situations involving:

Depending on the clinical situation, the aim may include reducing pain, influencing local tissue responses, reducing muscular tension and supporting recovery. Cupping is therefore sometimes considered in the context of back pain, chronic pain or tendon complaints.

Cupping is not automatically appropriate simply because pain is present. The nature of the complaint and the individual patient remain important.

There is more than one form of cupping.

Different techniques can be selected depending on the treatment goal, the area being treated and the individual patient.

In dry cupping, suction is applied to intact skin.

In selected situations, wet cupping may also be used. This involves making very small superficial openings in the skin before suction is applied.

Other variations in how the cups are applied may also be used according to the clinical situation.

The technique and intensity are adapted to the patient.

Before treatment, we discuss your symptoms and assess the area to be treated.

The cups are placed on selected areas and controlled suction is created.

The exact technique, positioning and intensity depend on the treatment goal and the individual patient.

Depending on the technique, cups may remain in one position for a period of time or be used in another way.

After treatment, the skin may temporarily appear red or show circular darker marks.

The number and frequency of sessions depend on the clinical situation and how the patient responds.

Cupping usually produces a pulling, pressure or tight sensation in the skin and superficial tissues.

The feeling can be unusual at first, but the intensity can be adapted to the individual patient.

Some treatment areas may be more sensitive than others.

If the sensation becomes uncomfortable, patients should tell us so that the treatment can be adjusted.

Cupping can leave temporary circular red, purple or darker marks on the skin.

These occur because of the local effect of suction on the skin, superficial tissues and small blood vessels.

The colour and intensity can vary between patients and between different areas of the body.

The marks usually fade gradually over several days, although they may sometimes remain visible for longer.

Cupping has been studied in a range of musculoskeletal pain conditions.

Clinical trials and systematic reviews have reported reductions in pain intensity in some patients, and both dry and wet cupping have been studied.

Several possible mechanisms have been proposed, including local mechanical effects, changes in circulation and tissue responses, and effects on pain processing and inflammatory pathways.

Research into these mechanisms and into outcomes such as tissue recovery, inflammation and physical function is continuing.

The strength and quality of the evidence varies between conditions and studies, so cupping should not be presented as a guaranteed solution for every type of pain.

At Centre Algos, the published evidence is considered alongside the patient's individual clinical situation and response to treatment.

Cupping is generally well tolerated when the technique is appropriately selected and performed.

Temporary effects can include:

The exact considerations also depend on the technique used. Wet cupping involves superficial opening of the skin and therefore requires appropriate hygiene and infection-control measures.

Cupping should not be applied indiscriminately to damaged, irritated or infected skin.

Certain medical conditions, medications or individual circumstances may also influence whether a particular technique is appropriate. We therefore review relevant information before treatment and adapt the approach to the patient.

At Centre Algos, cupping is not a one-size-fits-all treatment.

We first consider the nature of the symptoms, the area involved, how long the problem has been present, previous diagnoses and treatment, and the wider clinical picture.

If cupping appears appropriate, the technique can then be adapted to the treatment goal and the individual patient.

For some patients, cupping may be used as a focused treatment.

For others, it may form part of a broader treatment plan alongside another Centre Algos approach such as naturopathy, Breuss massage or percutaneous hydrotomy, movement or lifestyle measures, or appropriate conventional medical care.

The aim is to choose the treatment that makes sense for the patient rather than applying the same technique to everyone.

Centre Algos is based in Fribourg and welcomes patients from the region and other parts of Switzerland.

Before recommending cupping, we first take time to understand your symptoms and determine whether the treatment, and which form of it, is appropriate for your situation. Information about consultation fees is available on our site.

If you are dealing with muscular tension, persistent pain or another musculoskeletal complaint, a consultation can help determine whether cupping may be appropriate.

You do not need to decide which treatment or cupping technique you need before you come.

We first consider your symptoms and the wider clinical picture and then discuss the approach that appears most appropriate. You can request a consultation whenever you are ready.