Cupping is said to invigorate blood circulation, promote and normalize the flow of qi, relieve pain, dispel "wind," "cold" and "dampness" (pathogenic factors in TCM) and eliminate toxins. The ailments it is considered appropriate for are colds and flu, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, lower back pain, and upper back and shoulder pain.
拔罐的效果有活血、行氣、止痛、袪風、散寒、除濕以及拔毒作用，適用症為感冒、慢性風濕性關節炎、哮喘、風寒、腰痛、肩背痛等。