Cupping therapy uses cups placed on the skin to create suction, lifting and stretching the muscles and fascia underneath. It may help ease muscle tension and pain as part of a wider treatment plan for musculoskeletal conditions.
If you keep up with the latest wellness trends, you’ve probably heard of cupping.
While this therapy has gained popularity in recent years, it’s actually been around for centuries and is one of the oldest forms of hands-on therapy.
These days, spotting those round red marks on the backs and shoulders of athletes, celebrities and even your friends and family is becoming more and more common.
Cupping may help with a range of muscle and joint problems.
If you’re considering cupping, don’t let those marks put you off. Here we explain what cupping is, how it works and how our team at Physionorth uses it as part of treatment for musculoskeletal conditions.
What is cupping therapy?
Cupping is an ancient practice that involves placing cups, made of glass, bamboo, or silicone, onto the skin and then creating a vacuum that sucks the underlying tissue upwards into the cup. The cups are left on your skin for a few minutes as tolerated.
Cupping is used to increase circulation and promote healing in areas of pain and stiffness. By releasing tension and tightness, cupping therapy may help to increase the range of motion, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve function in the affected muscles and fascia.
Cupping therapy is often used to help with musculoskeletal conditions including arthritis, muscle tension, lower back pain, neck pain and knee pain.
How does cupping work?
Cupping therapy is thought to increase blood flow to the area being treated, which brings nutrients and oxygen to the tissues.
The suction created by the cups also has a mechanical effect on the body. As the skin and underlying tissues are pulled upward into the cup, the muscles and fascia are stretched. This may help release tension and tightness in muscles that are sore or stiff.
When is cupping used?
At Physionorth, cupping can be used as part of treatment for several musculoskeletal conditions. Here are just a few:
- Muscle Recovery: Cupping can be used to help your muscles recover after sporting events. Hard training can leave muscles feeling tight and sore, which may reduce your range of motion for a few days. Cupping lifts the tissues and may increase local blood flow, which can help ease muscle tension as you recover.
- Muscle Pain: Tight and painful muscles are a common complaint, especially in the back, neck, and shoulders. The pain in your muscles can be caused by a variety of factors including overuse, injury, or poor posture. Cupping for muscle pain aims to reduce pain by releasing tension in the muscles. Some people living with chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia, may find cupping helpful.
- Arthritis Pain: while cupping doesn’t change the arthritis itself, cupping for arthritis pain aims to relieve painful symptoms of arthritis including swelling, stiffness, muscle spasms and loss of mobility. For example, if you struggle with muscle spasms in your back, caused by arthritis pain in your hip or knee joint, cupping therapy could be applied to your lower back or hips. This may help to relax the tension and reduce pain associated with arthritis. Read more about how we manage osteoarthritis.
It should be noted, cupping therapy may not be right for everyone. This is why it’s very important to seek the advice of a trained and experienced professional before having cupping therapy.
The friendly and experienced team at Physionorth, including our remedial massage therapists, will conduct a thorough assessment of your condition and your history before coming up with an individually tailored treatment plan, just for you.
*All information is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Physionorth can consult with you to confirm if this advice is right for you.
References
Physio-pedia. (2023). Cupping Therapy. www.physio-pedia.com/Cupping_Therapy
