Types of cupping explained
"Cupping" isn't one single thing — it's a family of related treatments that differ in how the suction is created and what the practitioner does with the cups. Knowing the styles makes it much easier to book the right session. Here are the six main types, how each one feels, and who typically offers it.
| Style | How it works | Best known for |
| Dry | Stationary suction cups left in place | The everyday, most common form |
| Wet / hijama | Suction, then light punctures draw a little blood | The Sunnah / traditional practice |
| Fire | A brief flame creates the suction | The classic Chinese-medicine method |
| Massage / gliding | Oiled cups moved across the muscles | Relaxation, muscle tension |
| Facial | Small, gentle cups on the face | Circulation, a "glow" facial |
| Sports / myofascial | Decompression, often with dry needling | Athletic recovery and mobility |
Dry cupping
The most common form. The practitioner creates suction (with a hand pump or a flame) and leaves the cups in place for several minutes to lift the tissue and boost local circulation. It's stationary, so it leaves the classic round marks. Most acupuncturists offer it. Browse dry cupping providers.
Wet cupping (hijama)
Wet cupping starts like dry cupping, then the practitioner makes very light, superficial punctures and reapplies the cup to draw a small amount of blood. It's widely practiced as a Sunnah and requires sterile, single-use equipment because it breaks the skin. This is a specialized service — see our full hijama guide or find a hijama provider.
Fire cupping
The traditional Chinese-medicine method: the practitioner briefly holds a flame inside a glass cup to heat the air, then places it on the skin, and the cooling air creates suction. Done skillfully it's safe, though it carries a small burn risk, so an experienced hand matters. Browse fire cupping providers.
Massage / gliding cupping
Instead of staying put, oiled silicone or plastic cups are glided across the muscles, combining suction with a moving, massage-like release. It's a favorite for general muscle tension and relaxation, and it usually leaves lighter, streakier color rather than defined circles. Often called "ventosa" in Spanish and Filipino. Offered mostly by massage therapists — browse cupping massage.
Facial cupping
Small, very gentle cups are moved over the face to support circulation and lymphatic drainage, often as part of a facial. The suction is much lighter than body cupping, so it typically doesn't leave lasting marks. Common at med spas and wellness centers — browse facial cupping.
Sports / myofascial decompression
The athletic version, often called myofascial decompression. Physical therapists and sports-focused practitioners use it for recovery and mobility, frequently pairing it with dry needling or instrument-assisted techniques. It's why you see cupping marks on so many athletes. Read our cupping for athletes guide, or browse sports cupping.
Glass, silicone, or plastic cups?
Beyond the style, you'll notice cupping is done with different equipment. Glass cups are traditional and used for fire cupping. Plastic cups with a hand pump are common for controlled dry cupping, because the practitioner can dial the suction up or down. Soft silicone cups are the go-to for gliding massage cupping, since they squeeze easily and slide over oiled skin. The material doesn't change the core idea — it's just how the suction is created and controlled — so focus on the style and the practitioner rather than the cup itself.
Which style should you pick?
Start with your goal, then choose the provider that offers that style:
- Relaxation / muscle tension: gliding (massage) cupping.
- Athletic recovery: sports / myofascial decompression.
- A facial glow: facial cupping.
- Traditional or religious practice: wet cupping (hijama).
- A classic, focused treatment: dry or fire cupping.
Many providers offer several styles, so you can often get exactly what you want in one place. Browse everything on our cupping styles hub, or see who performs cupping.
Find your kind of cupping near you →
Frequently asked questions
- What are the main types of cupping?
- The main styles are dry cupping (stationary suction), wet cupping or hijama (with light skin punctures to draw a little blood), fire cupping (suction created with a brief flame), massage or gliding cupping (oiled cups moved over the muscles), facial cupping (small gentle cups for the face), and sports or myofascial-decompression cupping (used for athletic recovery, often with dry needling). Many providers offer more than one.
- What is the difference between dry and wet cupping?
- Dry cupping uses suction alone and does not break the skin. Wet cupping (hijama) adds a step: after suction, the practitioner makes very light punctures and reapplies the cup to draw a small amount of blood. Wet cupping requires sterile, single-use equipment; dry cupping does not.
- What is "ventosa"?
- Ventosa is simply the Spanish and Filipino word for cupping — you'll often see "ventosa massage" advertised, which typically refers to gliding or massage cupping. It's the same family of treatment, not a separate technique.
- Which type of cupping is best for me?
- It depends on your goal. For relaxation and muscle tension, gliding (massage) cupping is popular; for athletic recovery, sports/myofascial cupping; for a glow-focused facial, facial cupping; and for the traditional or religious practice, wet cupping (hijama). The provider type is a good clue to what you'll get, so pick the style first, then the provider.