Myofascial Decompression (Medical Cupping)
As a lot of you may have heard, read about, or seen the residual markings of the recently famous/trendy technique called “Cupping” and wondered if it actually works or is it just another hot topic that will soon fizzle out. Answer is, cupping actually dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. One of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus, describes how the ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy in 1,550 B.C. The modern version of cupping is called Myofascial Decompression (MFD) and has been used at FYZICAL Hazleton to help our clients since 2015.
Cupping is used widely among athletes. However, it is a great technique utilized for everyone suffering from any type of soft tissues damage, ranging from car accidents, wear and tear/ sporting activities, to every day muscle aches and pains someone may experience. Bottom line, cupping is for everyone.
What is Myofascial Decompression/cupping?
MFD/Cupping therapy is a treatment in which a physical therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction and targets fasica, a sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue that envelopes and separates muscles/organs/ and every other soft tissue structure in the body.
What is it used for?
People get it for many purposes, including helping with pain, tightness, inflammation, blood flow and as a type of deep-tissue massage. Cups and techniques vary depending on who, what and where you get this technique done. However, it should be done by a professional who specializes in this technique.
How does it work?
When a muscle is injured it causes scarring and adhesions to build up within the muscle/ structure causing “knots/trigger points.” When the cup
and suction is applied, the vacuum affect causes the red blood cells to expand and separates the fasica from the muscle tissue to allow proper blood flow and synovial fluid to make their way back through the structure to provide proper nutrients needed for healing. Cupping targets tight tissues, painful areas, restricted motions, scars and postural issues. It also incorporates movement patterns and muscle retraining.
What to expect?
Cupping is fairly safe, as long as you go to a trained health professional. But you could have these side effects in the area where the cups touch your skin:
- Mild discomfort *most common
- Burns- if using fire
- Bruises *most common
- Skin infection (why you should seek a professional)