Cupping helps to stimulate the lungs, increase diaphragmatic function to deepen breathing and improve local blood circulation. Some studies demonstrate that the suction function of cupping draws the blood from as deeply as 5 cm inside the body toward the surface. We cannot doubt that blood is being drawn to the surface, as in many cases with cupping we can see the effect of the mechanism through the deep red marks which sometimes occur. Many people believe that the red marks that are often seen after receiving cupping are bruises. This is actually not the case. Bruises are injury to the bold vessels, take several days to a week to heal and are painful to the touch. Cupping marks are from the effect of the negative pressure effect of the cups. They are not painful whatsoever, and no blood vessels are injured.

When the blood is blood drawn to the surface of the body, old and stale blood becomes more readily available to be cleaned by the lymphatic system. In this way, cupping has a detoxifying effect on the system.