Wet cupping is a traditional therapy where cups are used to create suction on the skin and then a small amount of blood is drawn out through tiny cuts to try to achieve a therapeutic effect.

What is wet cupping?

Wet cupping (also called hijama or bloodletting cupping) combines two steps: first regular “dry” cupping with suction, then controlled removal of a small amount of blood. It’s practiced in various cultures and systems of medicine, including Unani and some Middle Eastern and East Asian traditions.

How the procedure is done

A typical wet cupping session often follows this sequence.

  1. Cups applied (dry cupping phase)
    • Special cups are placed on specific points on the body (often back, shoulders, or other “acupoints”).
 * The practitioner creates suction with heat (briefly burning a substance in the cup) or with a mechanical pump.

 * The cups stay in place for a few minutes, drawing the skin up and increasing local blood flow.
  1. Tiny skin incisions
    • The cups are removed and the skin under them is cleaned with a disinfectant.
 * The practitioner makes very small, superficial cuts with a sterile blade or lancet.
  1. Second suction to draw blood
    • Cups are reapplied over the incised area and suction is created again.
 * A small amount of blood is drawn into the cups over a few minutes.
  1. Cleaning and dressing
    • Cups are removed, the blood is wiped away, and the area is cleaned and sterilized.
 * The practitioner may cover the area with a dressing to protect the skin.

Because the skin is broken and blood is drawn, proper hygiene, sterile equipment, and protective gear (like gloves) are considered essential for safety.

Why people do wet cupping

Supporters of wet cupping believe it can:

  • “Draw out toxins” or “stagnant blood” from the body
  • Improve circulation in a targeted area
  • Help with pain, inflammation, and muscle tension
  • Support general well‑being or “detox”
  • In some traditions, help the body get rid of heavy metals (based on limited studies)

However, many of these ideas are still theoretical and not fully backed by strong modern clinical evidence. Some small studies suggest possible benefits for pain or certain conditions, but overall research is mixed and more rigorous trials are needed.

Safety, risks, and precautions

Because wet cupping involves blood, there are specific risks and precautions.

Possible risks:

  • Skin infection at the incision sites
  • Scarring or prolonged marks on the skin
  • Excessive bleeding (especially in people with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners)
  • Transmission of infections if tools are reused or not properly sterilized
  • Pain, discomfort, or temporary dizziness

Safety measures commonly recommended:

  • Use of disposable cups and single‑use sterile blades or lancets.
  • Careful skin disinfection before and after the procedure.
  • Practitioners wearing protective equipment (sterile gloves, sometimes gowns and drapes).
  • Avoiding wet cupping for people with certain conditions (e.g., bleeding disorders, severe anemia, some skin diseases) or in unsafe settings.

Mainstream medical sources emphasize that anyone considering wet cupping should discuss it with a qualified healthcare professional, especially if they have underlying health issues or take regular medications.

Wet cupping in today’s context

Wet cupping has seen renewed interest in recent years as part of a broader trend toward “natural” and traditional therapies. It’s often discussed online alongside topics like detox, sports recovery, and alternative pain management, although clinical proof remains limited and safety standards vary by country and practitioner.

At the same time, professional and medical organizations stress that wet cupping should not replace proven treatments for serious conditions and should be viewed, at best, as a complementary option under proper supervision.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.