Taylor Whitney, Integrative Release Bodywork

These marks are not bruises; they’re reflections of circulation, stagnation, or toxin buildup. In TCM, the colors that appear during a cupping session give us insight into your internal health.

— Bright Red: Heat in the body or excess heat in a particular meridian/area. Commonly associated with inflammation, feverish conditions, acute tension.

— Dark Purple/Deep Red: Blood stasis or severe stagnation. Commonly associated with chronic pain, old injuries, poor circulation.

— Black: Severe blood stasis, cold damp stagnation, or toxins lodged deeply. Commonly associated with chronic pain, chronic illness, and sluggish circulation.

— Brown/Yellow: Dampness in the body, often mixed with toxins. Commonly associated with digestive issues, water retention, sluggish metabolism, imbalanced spleen/stomach systems.

— No Mark/Light Pink: Healthy circulation, little stagnation.