An increase in the body's own natural opioid production in the brain (resulting in pain reduction)
A lowering of LDL cholesterol
A lowering of blood pressure
A reduction in inflammation
An increase in immune function
A significant lowering of blood sugar in diabetic patients
Cupping can be used for respiratory conditions, back and neck pains, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism, and even cellulite. Skin conditions, stomach and bowel problems including IBS, and lymphatic conditions also respond well to this therapy.
There are some challenges in conducting research on cupping, because randomized controlled trials require a placebo and there is no suitable placebo in this case. That being said, a 2015 NIH systematic review and meta-analysis of cupping concluded that cupping could be effective in treating the pain and disability associated with chronic neck and back pain in the short term. In one study of 70 patients suffering from tension and migraine headaches, the application of cupping improved 95 percent of the cases by reducing the severity of the headaches by an average of 66 percent and the patients experienced the equivalent of 12.6 fewer days of headache per month. Additional research is clearly needed, but cupping shows great promise as an effective non-pharmaceutical pain reducer, reducing the physiological effects of stress, and speeding up muscle recovery.
