Cupping Therapy 

Cupping therapy may be the in thing now, but it’s not anything new. Today, it’s used to help with relaxation, blood flow, pain, and inflammation. Some think of it as a deep-tissue massage.

How Cupping Therapy Is Done

Our physical therapists utilize a rubber pump to create a vacuum. Sometimes, silicone cups are used to create a massage effect.

Why Cupping Therapy Is Done

We may sometimes use cupping as a technique of tissue distraction release. The cups are glided across different areas to lift and separate tissue. It enhances the release of the interfaces between the neural tissues, fascia, skin, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Some patients with myofascial pain report resolution of pain after just one session. There is also some evidence to suggest that cupping techniques are effective for chronic neck pain, low back pain and fibromyalgia. It has also been shown to relax muscles, release trigger points, improve lymphatic flow, increase local circulation and release scar tissue adhesion.

Cupping therapy is popular among athletes. Cupping therapy may potentially be more effective than techniques that focus on further compressing down on soft tissues that are hypothesized to be tight.

There’s real science behind cupping therapy. Creating suction with negative pressure can increase hydration and blood to body tissues, ease adhesions, rid excess fluids and eliminate connective tissues. It’s a versatile treatment and can be modified from deep tissue release to lymphatic drainage. This modality is sometimes used in physical therapy and medical-massage.