A common misunderstanding is that the mark that often appears after a cup has been applied to the body is a bruise.

By definition, a bruise occurs as a result of a blow to the body that does not break the skin. Bruises are also tender to the touch, and turn a blue-yellow as they heal.

Cupping marks, however, are created by a lifting and suction action on the body. Individuals have remarked that they are painless, and tend to fade from within seconds to upwards of 10 days.

With cupping, the marks are a meaningful and encouraging indication that congestion and cellular waste that has been trapped deep within the tissues has been brought to the surface where it can be processed and eliminated by the body. However, an absence of marks does not mean that the treatment isn’t working. Lighter cupping, moving cupping, or consistent cupping over time will produce little to no marks but still have a positive effect on the body.