HOW DOES CUPPING THERAPY ENCOURAGE HEALING?

Cupping therapy has seen a recent surge in popularity among physiotherapists. Professional athletes have also called attention to this treatment for its healing properties. Most prominently, Michael Phelps relied on this therapy for muscle tension relief during the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Although cupping has many benefits, this manual therapy is not for all people or injuries. Learn what this treatment entails and how it encourages the body’s healing response.

What Is Cupping?

Cupping is a type of decompressive therapy that uses a vacuum-like suction motion. Cups placed on the skin are typically made of silicone, glass, plastic, or bamboo and sit in place for 5 to 20 minutes. Suctioning helps improve energy and blood flow to the targeted area, aiding healing and muscle repair.

While modern-day physiotherapists now use cupping, its origins go back to ancient Chinese, Korean, Tibetan, Unani, and Egyptian medical practices. Modern Chinese medicine claims the suction motion improves movement within the body to balance and improve “negative” and “positive” elements.

Physiotherapists utilize dry cupping with suction to improve blood flow, assist with pain management, and help the body fight pathogens better.

Benefits of Dry Cupping

Those suffering from a musculoskeletal condition like tendonitis, osteoarthritis, or a ligament strain can benefit from cupping therapy. Along with traditional physiotherapy, cupping:

·         Increases circulation and blood flow to an area of the body, which can help lessen muscle tension, encourage cellular repair, and connective tissue formation.

· It can help loosen stiff muscles contributing to pain, muscle spasms, and poor circulation.

· It can address the nervous system’s pain signal loop by creating a secondary source of irritation that diverts the body’s attention.

·         Helps the body release nitric oxide, which helps improve blood circulation further.

·         Can stimulate the immune system by creating an artificial source of inflammation.

·         Improves the lymphatic system’s circulation and drainage.

· It can help decrease levels of uric acid.

In the long term, these factors can help improve blood flow to the targeted muscle group, repairing damaged tissue and stimulating the area’s anaerobic metabolism for better pain and inflammation management.

To deliver these results, cupping activates Heme oxygenase 1, a gene that helps the body control vascular inflammation and provides a source of deep tissue stimulation. In addition to addressing back pain, sore muscles, and spasms, it can help manage issues related to chronic fatigue, migraines, and rheumatism.

What to Expect During Treatment

A physiotherapist will ask about the location and severity of your symptoms to determine if dynamic or static cupping techniques are needed. With dynamic cupping, the cups are moved along the skin with light, medium, or firm pressure; static cupping is more effective for deeper muscles.

The cups will be placed on the affected area of your body to suction the skin and start the healing process. The most common areas include the back, chest, abdominal region, legs, and buttocks.

Depending on the severity of your pain and inflammation, the cups are usually removed after 10 minutes. You may notice red marks on the skin following treatment, but these are only a result of the capillaries breaking around the suction points.

Your physiotherapist may recommend cupping as a supplementary treatment for:

·         Neck pain

·         Shoulder pain

·         Lower back pain

·         Knee pain

·         Migraines and headaches

·         Disc herniation

·         Carpal tunnel syndrome

·         Rheumatoid arthritis

·         Cervical spondylosis

·         Breathing issues

·         Gastrointestinal conditions

Does cupping therapy sound like a viable treatment option for you?