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Yes, cupping looks painful, but so can many BDSM play when you look at it! Let’s dive into this ancient health practice that’s been adopted by the kink community.

We’re not going to get into the actual method of cupping in this article – instead we are just going to focus on what it is, where it came from, as well as how it can be erotic and other useful information.

WHAT IS NON-KINKY CUPPING?

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Cupping is an ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern practice of using glass cups on the skin and creating a vacuum. The resulting effect is to draw blood closer to the surface and therefore “improve circulation” by breaking up stagnant blood and dissolving congested blood.

There’s also an idea that darker bruises will reveal areas that are “damaged or traumatized.”

SIDE NOTE: The “fire method” as it’s called, involved setting a flammable liquid on fire then applying the cup (the temperature change creates the desired vacuum).

The after effects leave a very distinct, perfectly round bruise along the back (or wherever it was used).

WHAT IS KINKY CUPPING?

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It’s the exact same steps as health-related cupping, but in areas that are more erogenous. You’ve heard of a pussy pump? Well, it’s the same idea. First, blood is brought to the area and increases sexual stimulation. Second, the actual pressure and bruising can be sexual for some people as well.

ANYTHING ELSE?

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• Dry cupping involves a plastic cup and manual pump or mechanism to create the vacuum. This is the safest method and best for beginners.
• Wet cupping involved nicking the area, letting blood form and using that to create the vacuum. This (and fire) are definitely not something for beginners.
• Different methods leave different bruise outlines and appearance.
• Some doctors use acupuncture needles with their cupping. It could be integrated in a kink, but requires research, a teacher, and practice.
• How fast/slow the bruise disappears depends on the person.
• Cupping can be erotic and doesn’t have to be painful or “BDSMy”.
• Start small and simple, and work your way up.
• Other glass cups (like drinking cups or jars) can NOT be used as a substitute.

Have you ever tried erotic cupping? Share in the comments!