As with most chronic conditions, the treatments for diabetes should be holistic in nature. In addition to cupping, other natural ways to treat diabetes include:

  • Maintaining a healthy diet with smaller portion sizes and high fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

  • Regular exercise.

  • Weight loss.

  • Monitoring of blood sugar.

  • Acupuncture.

  • Herbal therapies such as the addition of zinc, fenugreek, aloe vera, Coenzyme Q10, and apple cider vinegar.

  • Biofeedback therapy.

  • Hydrotherapy.

  • Massage therapy.

  • Yoga.


Stress reduction and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle are key when it comes to treating diabetes. Those with type 2 diabetes can achieve remission and return their glucose levels back to a normal range by engaging in a healthy lifestyle, losing weight, and exploring alternative medicine. Those with type 1 diabetes have a more difficult road to travel, but they can still live a healthy life without medication if they focus on developing healthy habits and incorporate alternative methods of treatment. 

The second method, called “wet cupping”, is similar to dry cupping. However, prior to the cups being placed on the skin, a trained practitioner will puncture the skin so that blood is drawn out during the suction process. It is believed that wet cupping can help the kidneys clear toxins from the body and can also help with chronic conditions such as diabetes. 

What is cupping?

Cupping, like many alternative medicines, is often “practiced” by those who have not been thoroughly trained. For those with diabetes, it’s important to choose a practitioner who has experience in eastern practices and who has received the proper training and education to effectively and safely administer this treatment. Before choosing a clinic that offers cupping, consider the following:

  • What background does each practitioner have? At EBOM, Dr. Yanchun Xu has more than eight years of full-time education and more than 20 years of experience in traditional Chinese medicine, biomedical sciences, and pharmaceutical sciences. Other practitioners in the office have similar backgrounds.

  • What other services does the clinic offer? If a clinic offering cupping also offers medspa-type services, it may not be the best option. However, if the clinic offers other traditional Chinese medicine services like acupuncture and herbal medicine, it is likely a good option.

  • Who do you know who has had successful cupping therapy? If you have friends, family, co-workers, or colleagues who have had success with cupping therapy, ask them which practitioner they see.


Cupping has been used for centuries and to treat a host of medical conditions and can be a safe and effective alternative or complement to medication such as insulin and Metformin. Finding a compassionate, well-educated, and experienced practitioner is the best way to ensure that your cupping experience is a successful one.  

Do you have diabetes and want to see if cupping is a viable treatment? Book an appointment at our clinic today. Our knowledgeable and trained staff would love to help. 

How does cupping help those with diabetes?

How Can Cupping Help Those with Diabetes?

Tips on choosing a cupping provider 

It’s important to note that cupping is not intended to be a cure for diabetes. Instead, many scientific studies have shown it to be effective in increasing blood flow and circulation, reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and stabilizing blood sugar and blood pressure. In addition to these benefits, cupping can also help those with diabetes manage and reduce the pain that often comes with the chronic condition. Wet cupping in particular can help those with diabetes by detoxifying the blood and resolving blood stagnation that can worsen the symptoms of diabetes. 

Wet cupping

Cupping is the process of putting special cups on your skin in strategic locations for a specified amount of time to create suction. Prior to the cups being placed on the skin, a trained professional will heat them to create the suction or they will use a manual pump after they are placed. The suction created by the cups increases blood flow and circulation and can promote healing and reduce pain. There are two different types of cupping that are practiced at Evidence Based Oriental Medicine (EBOM): Wet cupping and dry cupping. 

Long practiced in many cultures around the world, cupping is an accepted treatment in the holistic, natural medical field. It can be used to reduce pain, increase blood flow, relieve muscle tension, and promote cellular repair. Cupping can be used as a treatment on its own or in addition to other natural treatments such as massage or acupuncture or with more traditional Western treatments, medications, or therapies.

Evidence Based Oriental Medicine

A holistic approach

The method described above is known as “dry cupping”. It causes your skin to redden and your blood vessels to expand and therapists believe that it produces results by inducing hyperemia, or an increase of blood in tissues and organs. 

Dry cupping

Acupuncture at EBOM Evidence Based Oriental Medicine