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Is Cupping Therapy Safe?What the 2026 Research Shows
“The best of remedies is Hijama.” Prophet Muhammad &#ﷺ; (Sahih Bukhari 5371)
Safety & Research
Is Cupping Therapy Safe?
What the 2026 Research Shows
Not a vague answer padded with disclaimers. A real, practitioner-written breakdown of the latest clinical evidence, what the actual risks are, who genuinely needs to be cautious, and how the difference between certified and uncertified practice changes everything.
Safe for most people
When performed by a certified practitioner with sterile equipment, cupping is low-risk for healthy adults. Serious adverse events remain rare in clinical literature.
Caution in certain groups
Specific health conditions and medications require disclosure, medical clearance, or a modified protocol before any cupping session proceeds.
Dangerous if done wrong
Unqualified practitioners, non-sterile instruments, and ignored contraindications are where real complications come from. Certification is not optional.
Direct Answer
Yes, cupping therapy is safe for most healthy adults when a trained, certified practitioner performs it with sterile single-use equipment and conducts a proper pre-session health assessment. Serious complications are rare and almost exclusively traced to poor hygiene, unqualified practitioners, or ignoring clear contraindications. The risks are real, manageable, and very different from the myths.
This is the question I hear more than any other before a client’s first session at our Scarborough clinic. Someone read something online. A friend had a bad reaction elsewhere. Or they simply want to make a genuinely informed decision before they commit.
That instinct is right. And it deserves a real answer built on what the research actually says in 2026, not a list of generic reassurances. So here is the full picture: clinical evidence, documented risks separated from myths, who should genuinely be cautious, and what the difference between a certified session and a careless one actually means for your safety.
“Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease, namely old age.”Prophet Muhammad &#ﷺ; | Sunan Abu Dawud 3855
Before Safety: Understanding What Cupping Actually Does to the Body
You cannot properly evaluate whether something is safe without understanding its mechanism. Most safety concerns about cupping come from misunderstanding what is happening under the skin. Here is what the research confirms:
Increased local blood flow
Suction draws blood toward the surface and into capillaries in the treated area. This increases oxygen delivery, promotes tissue repair, and is the primary driver of cupping’s pain-relieving effects.
Capillary rupture and ecchymosis
The suction causes small capillaries just below the skin surface to rupture. Blood pools beneath the skin. This creates the circular marks and is not tissue damage. It resolves completely on its own.
Neurological pain gating
Research suggests cupping stimulates sensory nerve receptors that activate pain-gating mechanisms in the spinal cord, which can reduce pain perception in treated areas.
Inflammatory marker reduction (wet cupping)
Hijama specifically has shown measurable reductions in inflammatory markers, oxidative stress indicators, cholesterol levels, and uric acid in peer-reviewed studies.
Understanding this matters because the marks, the fatigue after a session, the temporary tenderness. All of these make immediate sense once you understand what the body is doing. They are not signs of harm. They are signs of the body responding.
What the 2025-2026 Clinical Research Actually Shows
Cupping has now been studied in hundreds of randomised controlled trials and multiple systematic reviews. Here is an honest summary of where the evidence stands today, without cherry-picking results in either direction.
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine / PROSPERO
72 trials, 5,720 participants: adverse events lower in cupping groups
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis found low-quality evidence that cupping groups experienced fewer adverse events than control groups. All trials reviewed showed adverse events were predominantly mild and self-limiting.
JOSPT Open / Musculoskeletal Research
Dry cupping adverse events rare and mild across all timepoints
The most recent meta-analysis on dry cupping published January 2026, searching databases through June 2025, found adverse event incidence was very low. No serious adverse events were reported across included trials.
NIH StatPearls / Clinical Reference
Cupping regarded as complementary, not a substitute for conventional care
The current NIH clinical reference acknowledges cupping’s promise in pain management while noting the evidence for most other conditions remains limited. Pre-session health screening is described as essential for safety.
PMC Infection Case Literature
Rare serious infections almost exclusively linked to hygiene failures
A review of documented serious infection cases following wet cupping found they involved non-sterile instruments, reused equipment, or patients with undetected immune deficiencies. No serious infections were found in properly controlled clinical settings.
The most useful summary from all of this research: cupping is not risk-free, but its documented risks are predominantly mild, temporary, and highly preventable. The gap between “cupping in a certified clinic” and “cupping in an uncertified setting” is enormous in terms of actual safety outcomes.
The American College of Physicians has listed cupping therapy among recognised complementary methods for chronic lumbar pain. The evidence strongest for pain, particularly lower back pain and neck pain, remains consistent across multiple independent research groups.
The honest state of the evidence in 2026
The research is growing but still developing. For pain management, the evidence is the strongest and most consistent. For other claimed benefits like blood pressure management, blood glucose regulation, and immune modulation, the research is promising but needs larger, higher-quality trials. Any practitioner who tells you cupping cures everything is not being honest. Any source that says cupping has no evidence at all is also not being honest. The truth sits in between.
The Real Risks: Separated from the Myths
Most articles on this topic either overstate the risks to discourage cupping or dismiss them entirely to sell sessions. Neither helps you make a good decision. Here is what the evidence actually documents:
| Risk | How common | Severity | Preventable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circular skin marks | Very common | Harmless, temporary | Expected, not prevented |
| Mild skin tenderness | Very common | Harmless, resolves 24-48h | Expected, not prevented |
| Post-session fatigue | Common | Normal healing response | Rest-managed |
| Dizziness or nausea | Uncommon | Mild, transient | Yes, with proper prep |
| Mild burns (fire cupping) | Rare | Superficial, heals | Yes, with trained practitioner |
| Skin infection (wet cupping) | Very rare | Can be serious if untreated | Yes, fully preventable with sterile technique |
| Extended bleeding | Very rare | Risk only in contraindicated patients | Yes, with proper screening |
| Systemic infection | Extremely rare | Serious if it occurs | Yes, with sterile protocol and screening |
The pattern across the literature is consistent: the most common effects are harmless and expected. The rare serious effects almost always involve either a contraindicated patient who was not properly screened, or an unhygienic setting where sterile technique was not followed.
At Hijama Natural Healing, we do not use fire cupping. We use sterile single-use lancets for every wet cupping session. All equipment is properly disinfected. And every client goes through a health assessment before any session begins. These are not selling points. They are the baseline that separates competent cupping practice from a dangerous one.
Five Claims About Cupping Safety: Answered Directly
Common Claim
“Cupping therapy has no scientific evidence behind it.”
Partially outdated
This was closer to true fifteen years ago. In 2026, there are hundreds of randomised controlled trials and multiple systematic reviews evaluating cupping. The evidence is strongest and most consistent for pain management, particularly lower back pain, neck pain, and musculoskeletal conditions. It is less conclusive for other conditions. Saying cupping has no evidence is simply no longer accurate. Saying the evidence is still developing and limited for some claims is accurate.
Common Claim
“The cupping marks mean your tissues were injured.”
False
Cupping marks are the result of capillary rupture beneath the skin surface caused by suction. No muscle fibres, fascia, nerves, or deep tissue are damaged. The discoloration is blood pooled under the skin, not in damaged tissue. It heals completely with no scarring from properly performed dry cupping. The marks look alarming precisely because we are not used to seeing blood pool under skin in a circular pattern. The biology is not alarming at all. Our article on how long cupping marks last covers this in detail.
Common Claim
“Cupping removes toxins from the body.”
Biologically nuanced
The word “toxins” is used loosely and that creates confusion. What wet cupping (Hijama) does measurably do is draw blood from stagnant areas that contains metabolic waste products, elevated inflammatory markers, and in some documented studies, higher levels of uric acid, LDL cholesterol, and oxidative stress compounds compared to circulating blood. Studies have shown measurable reductions in these markers following Hijama. Whether you call that “removing toxins” is a matter of terminology. The physiological changes are documented and real.
Common Claim
“Any cupping practitioner is the same as a certified Hijama clinic.”
False, and important
A practitioner trained and certified by a recognised body like IPHM and trained at an institution like Hijama Nation Academy has studied anatomy, contraindications, hygiene protocols, clinical assessment, and emergency responses. Someone who completed a short online course has not. The gap between these two situations is where almost every documented serious complication in the cupping literature originates. Practitioner training is the primary safety variable in this therapy.
Common Claim
“Hijama cures all diseases.”
Requires context
The Prophetic narration that Hijama contains a cure is something we believe as Muslims, fully and without reservation. Practically, this means Hijama is a powerful healing tool and a blessed Sunnah with documented therapeutic effects. It does not mean cupping replaces medical diagnosis, that all conditions respond equally to Hijama, or that declining conventional treatment for serious illness has any Islamic scholarly backing. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also commanded us to seek medical treatment. Hijama works alongside evidence-based care. Our page on Hijama in Islam covers this carefully.
Who Should Have Cupping Therapy and Who Should Not
This section matters more than any other for practical safety. Cupping is suitable for a wide range of people, but there are genuine contraindications that exist for good medical reasons.
Generally suitable for cupping
- Healthy adults with chronic pain conditions
- People with musculoskeletal tension or stiffness
- Athletes using cupping for recovery and performance
- People managing stress, fatigue, or headaches
- Women seeking women-specific Hijama (outside pregnancy and heavy menstruation)
- Type 2 diabetics not on insulin (with disclosure)
- People with controlled high blood pressure (with GP clearance)
- Those seeking general detoxification or immune support
Requires clearance or full avoidance
- Pregnant women at any stage
- People on warfarin, aspirin, heparin, or other anticoagulants
- Those with hemophilia or blood clotting disorders
- Active skin infections, open wounds, or broken skin at treatment sites
- Diagnosed cancer or organ failure
- Pacemakers or any implanted electronic medical devices
- Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease or deep vein thrombosis
- Children under 16 (GP documentation required)
- Severe anaemia (haemoglobin below 9.5 mg/dl)
- Recent surgery on the treatment area
This is a practical guide, not an absolute rule. Some people in the caution category can receive modified protocols with appropriate medical supervision. What matters is honest disclosure. Tell your practitioner about every medication, every diagnosis, every concern. A qualified practitioner will always assess you individually before proceeding and will adapt or postpone a session when necessary.
For a detailed breakdown by condition, visit our pages on Hijama for women and our full clinic FAQs.
Certified Hijama Practice vs Uncertified: The Safety Difference
This is the single most important factor for your safety, more than which type of cupping you choose, more than which area of the body is treated. The practitioner’s training and hygiene standards determine whether your session is safe or potentially harmful.
| Safety Standard | What it requires | At our Scarborough clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-session health assessment | Full health history, medications, contraindications reviewed | ✓ Every client, every session |
| Practitioner certification | Recognised body, anatomy and clinical training | ✓ IPHM certified, HNA trained |
| Lancets for wet cupping | Sterile, single-use, disposable only | ✓ No exceptions |
| Cup sterilisation | Full disinfection protocol between every client | ✓ Standard protocol |
| Hand hygiene and gloves | Proper handwashing, clinical-grade gloves | ✓ Every session |
| Post-session aftercare | Written and verbal instructions given to every client | ✓ Every session |
| Fire cupping | Requires specialist training, burn risk when done improperly | ✕ Not used at our clinic |
| Contraindication refusal | Willingness to postpone or refuse where not appropriate | ✓ Always |
A word from Rabia Anjum
I have had clients arrive at our clinic after sessions elsewhere that left them with burns, infections, or marks that lasted weeks longer than they should have. In every case, the issue was not cupping itself. It was either an unqualified practitioner, reused equipment that was not properly sterilised, or nobody asking basic questions about the client’s health before starting. When I do a pre-session assessment, I am not filling in a form. I am making a clinical decision about whether this person should receive cupping that day, in what form, and at what intensity. That is what training is for.
Is Hijama Safe from an Islamic Perspective?
For our Muslim clients, this is often the first question, and it has the clearest answer of any on this page: yes, without qualification.
Hijama is a confirmed Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed it, recommended it, and praised it in multiple authentic narrations. Islamic scholars across all major schools of thought regard it as permissible and recommended. It is one of the clearest examples of prophetic medicine that has survived into modern practice with both religious authority and growing clinical validation behind it.
What Islamic scholarship also emphasises is choosing a trustworthy, qualified practitioner, maintaining modesty throughout the session, and treating Hijama as a complement to seeking proper medical care rather than a reason to avoid it. These are not separate from the safety question. They are part of it.
For the full Hadith evidence and scholarly context, visit our page on Hijama in Islam. For timing your sessions according to the Sunnah calendar, see our Sunnah Days guide.
“Indeed the best of treatments you apply is Hijama.”Prophet Muhammad &#ﷺ; | Sahih Bukhari 5696 & Sahih Muslim 2214
Questions before you book? We welcome them.
Every session at our Scarborough clinic begins with a full health assessment. We would rather spend ten minutes understanding your situation than skip straight to treatment. Reach out before you book if you have concerns about a specific health condition or medication.
Book Your Consultation in ScarboroughFrequently Asked Questions About Cupping Therapy Safety
Is cupping therapy safe for most people?
Yes. When a trained, certified practitioner performs it with sterile equipment and a proper pre-session health assessment, cupping is considered low-risk for healthy adults. The most common effects are temporary circular skin marks and mild tenderness, both of which resolve on their own. Serious complications are rare in clinical literature and almost always linked to inadequate training or poor hygiene.
Can cupping therapy cause permanent damage?
Properly performed dry cupping does not cause permanent damage. The marks are sub-dermal and leave no lasting trace once healed. Wet cupping (Hijama) involves superficial incisions that heal cleanly within a few days with appropriate aftercare. Permanent scarring from professionally delivered Hijama is extremely rare and typically involves either neglected aftercare or a pre-existing skin condition. For our full breakdown, read how long cupping marks last.
Who should not have cupping therapy?
People who should avoid cupping or get medical clearance first include those who are pregnant, taking blood thinners like warfarin or aspirin, have hemophilia or clotting disorders, active skin infections or open wounds on treatment areas, diagnosed cancer or organ failure, pacemakers or implanted devices, uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, or deep vein thrombosis. Children under 16 need GP documentation before treatment. Severe anaemia is also a contraindication. This is not exhaustive, which is why we individually assess every client before each session.
What does the 2025-2026 research say about cupping safety?
The most recent systematic review, published April 2025 in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, analysed 72 randomised controlled trials with 5,720 participants and found cupping groups had lower adverse event rates than control groups. A January 2026 meta-analysis in JOSPT Open found adverse events from dry cupping to be rare and mild across all study timepoints. The consistent pattern in current research is that cupping is safe when performed correctly, with serious adverse events almost exclusively linked to hygiene failures or contraindicated patients.
Is wet cupping (Hijama) more dangerous than dry cupping?
Dry cupping carries fewer inherent risks because there are no skin incisions. Wet cupping introduces a small additional infection risk if hygiene standards are not maintained. In a properly certified clinic using sterile single-use instruments, that additional risk is effectively eliminated. The type of cupping matters less than the hygiene standards and training of the practitioner performing it. Our wet cupping service page covers the full process.
Is cupping therapy safe during pregnancy?
No. Hijama and cupping therapy are not recommended during pregnancy. The physiological changes triggered by cupping and the pressure and suction involved carry risk of complications, particularly miscarriage in early pregnancy and early labour in later stages. Most certified practitioners, ourselves included, advise waiting at least six weeks after birth before resuming cupping. If you are breastfeeding, individual assessment applies. Please contact us before booking.
Can I have cupping if I am on medication?
It depends on the medication. Blood thinners, anticoagulants, and aspirin increase bleeding risk with wet cupping and must be discussed with your GP before proceeding. Most other medications do not prevent cupping but should always be disclosed before your session. Certain conditions being managed with medication may also be relevant. We will always ask, and we will always adapt or postpone based on what you tell us.
Does cupping therapy hurt?
Most clients describe the sensation during dry cupping as a strong pulling or pressure feeling. Areas of chronic tension can feel more intense. For wet cupping (Hijama), the suction phase feels like pressure, and the superficial incisions are usually described as a mild scratching sensation. The procedure itself is rarely described as painful. Soreness in the treated area afterward is normal and typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. For a full description of what to expect, read our article on what happens in the 72 hours after Hijama.
Is Hijama safe according to Islamic teaching?
Yes, without qualification. Hijama is a confirmed Sunnah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed it, was treated with it, and directly recommended it in multiple authentic Hadith narrations. Islamic scholars across all major schools of thought regard it as permissible and encouraged. It is fully aligned with the Islamic principle of seeking natural healing while maintaining faith in Allah as the ultimate healer. Our full page on Hijama in Islam covers the evidences in detail.
How do I know if a cupping practitioner is properly qualified?
Ask directly about their certification and training institution. Look for formal recognition by bodies such as the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM). Training institutions like Hijama Nation Academy (HNA) provide structured, anatomy-grounded professional training. A qualified practitioner will welcome your questions about their credentials, sterilisation protocols, and pre-session assessment process. If they cannot answer those questions clearly, that is a red flag. You can also verify our own credentials through the links on our about page.
I am nervous about my first session. What should I expect?
That nervousness is normal and actually healthy. Before your session, we will ask you about your health history, medications, and what you are hoping to address. During the session, you will feel the suction as a pulling sensation. For dry cupping, that is the main experience. For Hijama, the incisions follow and most clients are surprised by how mild they feel. After your session, you may feel tired, deeply relaxed, or slightly emotional. All of this is normal. Our article on why you feel sleepy after Hijama explains the post-session experience well.
The Bottom Line
Cupping therapy is safe for most people when a qualified practitioner performs it correctly. The risks that do exist are predominantly mild, temporary, and far more connected to practitioner quality and hygiene than to the therapy itself. The marks are not bruises. The fatigue is not a warning sign. The process is not dangerous by nature.
Where real harm has occurred in the documented clinical literature, the causes are almost always the same: untrained practitioners, reused unsterilised equipment, or sessions performed on patients who had clear contraindications that were never assessed. None of these are problems with cupping. They are problems with unsafe practice.
If you are generally healthy, you disclose your full health history to your practitioner, and you walk into a certified clinic with proper hygiene standards, your session is safe. If you have a condition on the contraindication list, get medical clearance first and work with a practitioner who will adapt the session accordingly.
We hope this gives you the real, grounded answer you were looking for.
May Allah grant you health, healing, and barakah. Ameen.
Research References
- Wang Y et al. Update evidence on pain relieving of cupping therapy: systematic review and meta-analysis of 72 RCTs, 5,720 participants. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2025
- JOSPT Open. Efficacy of dry cupping vs placebo cupping for musculoskeletal complaints: systematic review with meta-analysis. JOSPT Open, January 2026
- Wang L et al. Efficacy of cupping therapy on pain outcomes: evidence-mapping study. Frontiers in Neurology, 2023
- StatPearls. Cupping Therapy: clinical overview, contraindications and infection control. NIH National Library of Medicine, 2023
- Disseminated Staphylococcus aureus infection after wet cupping: case report and literature review. PMC, 2023
- El Hasbani G et al. Cupping (Hijama) in Rheumatic Diseases: The Evidence. Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology, 2021
- Xu R et al. Trends and hotspots in cupping therapy research for pain: bibliometric study. Frontiers in Medicine, 2025
