Chronic pain
Across 18 trials and 1,172 patients, cupping produced a large short-term reduction in chronic pain compared with no treatment.
Dry cupping method
Fire cupping (hot cupping): a complete guide
Short answer: fire cupping is the traditional way of creating suction. A small flame is held inside a glass cup for a second to heat the air, then taken out, and the cup is placed on the skin straight away. As the air cools, it draws the skin upward. The flame never touches you. It is a form of dry cupping — no cuts, no blood — and it feels warm, then like a firm pull.
- How it works, step by step
- Fire vs pump vs wet cupping, side by side
- Burn risk — and how it is controlled
Same rate as every method: ₹200 per cup, consultation free.
SecondsThe flame is inside the cup only briefly
5–10 minCups usually stay on per placement
No cutsFire cupping is a dry method
₹200Per cup, same as every method
What it is
One of the oldest forms of cupping
Cupping has been practised for thousands of years in Egyptian, Greek, Chinese and Islamic medicine, and it is part of the Unani tradition that Dr. Siddiqui practises. Before hand pumps existed, heat was the way to create suction — which is why fire cupping is often called the traditional method.
Today clinics use either heat (fire cupping) or a hand pump (vacuum cupping). Both lift the skin and the tissue beneath it; neither breaks the skin. Wet cupping (hijama) is different — it adds small superficial incisions.
People search for it under several names: fire cupping, hot cupping, flash cupping (cups placed and removed quickly, again and again) and glass cupping. In each case heat creates the suction.
Step by step
What happens during fire cupping
Nothing is done before you have been assessed, and the assessment is free.
Consultation
Dr. Siddiqui takes your history, checks your medicines and examines the skin where cups will go.
Positioning
You lie comfortably, usually face down. Only the area being treated is uncovered.
Heating the cup
A small flame is held inside the glass cup for a second or two, away from your body, then removed.
Placing the cup
The warm cup goes straight onto the skin. As the air cools, the skin is drawn gently upward.
Resting
Cups usually stay for 5–10 minutes. You can ask for any cup to be removed at any time.
Removal and aftercare
A finger presses the skin at the rim to release the seal — the cup lifts off without pulling. You get aftercare advice before you leave.
Compare methods
Fire cupping vs pump cupping vs wet cupping
| Fire / pump cupping (dry) | Wet cupping (hijama) | |
|---|---|---|
| How suction is made | Fire: heat inside a glass cup · Pump: a hand pump draws air out | Pump cups, after small superficial incisions |
| Skin | Not broken | Small superficial cuts |
| Feeling | Fire: warm, then a firm pull · Pump: a firm pull, no warmth | A firm pull, plus a slight pinch |
| Strength of suction | Fire: set by technique · Pump: adjusted precisely | Adjusted precisely |
| Main risk | Fire: burns if careless · Both: marks and tenderness | Infection if equipment is reused or aftercare is poor |
| Blood | None | A small, controlled amount |
| Who performs it | Trained therapist under Dr. Siddiqui’s supervision | Dr. Siddiqui personally |
| Cost here | ₹200 per cup | ₹200 per cup |
The choice between fire, pump and wet cupping is made at your consultation — never on price, because every method costs the same.
Benefits
What fire cupping can do for you
What patients commonly report
- A looser, lighter feeling in treated muscles
- A warm, deeply relaxing sensation during the session
- Easier movement after neck, shoulder or back tension
- Less stiffness the next morning
- A traditional method many patients prefer
Getting the best results
- Results build over a course of sessions, 1–3 weeks apart
- Rest, water and gentle movement afterwards help recovery
- Combine with exercise or physiotherapy for long-standing problems
- Keep taking any medicine your doctor has prescribed
Evidence
What research shows about cupping
Studies on cupping — fire and pump methods alike — report real benefits for pain, stiffness and flexibility.
Neck pain
A meta-analysis of 18 trials found cupping reduced neck pain and improved function compared with no treatment. Side effects were mostly mild and temporary.
Sports and musculoskeletal rehabilitation
A review of 22 studies found evidence that cupping improves soft-tissue flexibility and supports its use for back and neck pain, with a very low rate of side effects.
135 clinical trials reviewed
A review of 135 randomised trials found cupping — alone or combined with other treatment — effective for conditions including herpes zoster, facial paralysis, acne and cervical spondylosis, with no serious side effects reported.
Trusted by elite athletes
Why Olympic athletes use cupping
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, swimmer Michael Phelps — the most decorated Olympian in history — and other athletes competed with the round marks of cupping on their backs and shoulders. Elite athletes and sports physiotherapists around the world use cupping for muscle recovery, tightness and range of movement between hard training sessions.
The same technique is available at our clinic — with a doctor’s assessment first, single-use cups, and a plan built around your body rather than a fixed package.
Safety
Burn risk, and who should avoid fire cupping
Not suitable if
- You take blood thinners, or have a bleeding or clotting disorder
- You are pregnant
- There is an active skin infection, eczema flare or open wound at the site
- You have very thin or fragile skin, or reduced feeling there (e.g. diabetic neuropathy)
- You are very anxious about a flame near your body — pump cups give the same suction without heat
How burn risk is controlled
- The flame is held inside the cup only, never on the skin
- No oil or alcohol is left on the cup rim
- Cups are checked before placing
- Pump cups are used instead wherever heat is not needed
Clinic practice — to be confirmed by Dr. Siddiqui.
A blister, burning pain or a mark that looks like a burn is not normal after cupping. Tell us straight away.
Myths vs facts
Fire cupping myths
Tap a card to see the fact.
Your session
What to expect on the day
Eat a light meal beforehand and wear loose clothing. The consultation comes first; then the session itself takes up to 45–50 minutes including preparation.
Afterwards, keep the area clean and dry for 24 hours and avoid the gym, swimming and sauna for 48 hours. Most people go back to work the same day.
- Free consultation first
- Only the treated area uncovered
- Female therapist available on request
- Written aftercare before you leave
FAQ
Fire cupping — every question we are asked
What is fire cupping?
A dry cupping method where a flame briefly heats the air inside a glass cup; as the air cools on the skin, it creates suction.
Is fire cupping the same as hot cupping?
Yes — both names describe cupping where heat creates the suction.
Does fire cupping burn the skin?
It should not. The flame stays inside the cup and is removed before the cup touches you. Burns happen with careless technique, which is why it should only be done by a trained practitioner.
Does it hurt?
You feel warmth for a moment, then a firm pull. Tell us at any point and the cup is released.
Is fire cupping better than vacuum cupping?
Neither is better in general. Fire cupping is traditional; pump cups give finer control and no heat. Dr. Siddiqui chooses what suits you.
Is fire cupping the same as hijama?
No. Hijama usually means wet cupping, with small incisions. Fire cupping is dry — no cuts and no blood.
What is flash cupping?
Cups are placed and removed quickly, many times, instead of staying on. It is a lighter technique, also usually done with heat.
How long do the marks last?
Like all cupping, about 7–10 days. See side effects.
How often can I have fire cupping?
Usually one to three weeks apart, so the tissue recovers. Your plan is decided at the consultation.
Can I have fire cupping if I have diabetes?
Controlled diabetes is often fine, but reduced feeling in the skin is a reason to choose pump cups instead. Tell us at the consultation.
How much does it cost?
₹200 per cup, usually about 5 cups, consultation free. Use the price calculator.
Can women have fire cupping?
Yes. Ask for a female therapist when you book. We do not treat during pregnancy.
Related
All treatments Other cupping methods and guides
Dry (suction) cupping
Suction only, no incisions.
Learn moreWet cupping (hijama)
Done by the doctor himself.
Learn moreCupping vs acupuncture & physio
How cupping compares.
CompareSide effects
What is normal and what is not.
Read morePrice
₹200 per cup, calculator.
See pricesCupping on the body
For back, neck and shoulder pain.
Learn moreNot sure which method is right for you?
The consultation is free. Dr. Siddiqui will tell you whether fire, pump or wet cupping suits you — or none of them.