TCM Cupping: What Those Marks Actually Mean

If you've ever had cupping, you know the marks. Round, dark, dramatic — and harmless.

Not bruises

A bruise is trauma. Cupping marks (called sha) are micro-circulation responses, drawn out by the suction.

Reading the color

• Light pink: good circulation, minimal stagnation
• Dark red or purple: long-held tension or "stuck" blood
• Black: deep, chronic stagnation

How long do they last?

Typically 3–7 days. They fade as your body clears what was released.