Cupping therapy has been around for centuries and continues to be used by some athletes and wellness enthusiasts for muscle recovery and pain relief. That debate has intensified following a warning issued by Kerala-based hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, widely known online as ‘The Liver Doc’, in an Instagram post. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEOCritiquing the procedure, he described cupping therapy as “unscientific, dangerous nonsense”, urging people to reconsider what he called a “superstitious trend” being presented as legitimate medical care. His post included images of wet cupping, where suction is applied after small incisions are made to draw out what some believe is “toxic” blood. According to him, the intense suction used in cupping can also cause hematomas, permanent scarring, and skin discolouration, and may delay proper treatment for underlying conditions if people rely on it instead of seeking medical care.

Source: Indian Express February 19, 2026 16:32 UTC