Myofascial Cupping Therapy

Myofascial Cupping Therapy

What is cupping therapy?

Cupping therapy is an ancient healing treatment used to treat pain using small cups that are placed over muscular areas of the body.  A gentle suction force is applied that pulls the skin upward into the cup, drawing blood toward the surface of your skin.  

Does cupping hurt?

A pulling sensation during the procedure is typical but should be mild to moderate. The suction force from cupping open tiny blood vessels called capillaries under your skin.  You may have red, round cupping therapy marks that will fade away in several days.  Although these marks look like bruises, they are not true bruises that injure muscle fibers.

What are the benefits of cupping therapy?

·      Reduce pain and inflammation

·      Decrease muscle tightness

·      Improve blood flow

·      Increase range of motion

·      Remove toxins from your body

How do physical therapists perform cupping?

There are a variety of techniques that can be used with cupping.  Your physical therapist will place cups on muscular areas of your body such as your back, arms, or legs based on the treatment recommended for your needs.  These cups may be placed over adhesions, tender trigger points, or along the muscle group of a restricted movement pattern.  A suction device removes air from the cups.  The vacuum force pulls your skin up into the cup.  Your provider will leave the cups in place for several minutes while closely monitoring the response.  Some treatments involve briefly moving the cups to stretch and massage the treatment area.  You may even be directed by your physical therapist to perform specific movement exercises with the cups in place.  

Your Personalized Physical Therapist may recommend myofascial cupping therapy treatment as part of your Physical Therapy program to help you decrease pain to move better and stay active. Contact us to learn more.

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