Cupping Therapy
Description
Multiple scientific research studies show that myofascial cupping effectively helps with: • Relieving chronic pain/disability • Reducing discomfort in the targeted tissues • Increasing ROM in injured patients • Decreasing nonspecific low back pain, neck pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome • Increasing oxygen in local areas from increased local blood flow A variety of cupping techniques may be used, such as: DRY/STATIC CUPPING: cups are put on with no lotion, generally static and left on the body until a change in tissue is noted by the therapist. BLANKET CUPPING: This is covering an area entirely with cups. It uses a lot of cups. These cups will likely leave marks - usually the classic round cupping marks. It is a global treatment, with lots of neurological stimulus to the area. FLASH CUPPING: no/minimal lotion applied. The practitioner will place the cup on lightly, then pull it off immediately over and over. Often the practitioner is looking for a hollow-popping sound. The area will go red but not mark. This application will be repeated for 2-5 minutes. Flash cupping brings blood to the skin, stretches the skin and underlying tissue, and brings fluid to the area. FAST CUPPING: 3-4 cups are used. The practitioner will place a cup, then another in a line, then the next, etc. The therapist will leap-frog the cups over the area they wish to cover. There should be no marks, or very light ones. This technique stretches the skin and the tissue underneath. It brings fluid from the tissues to the superficial skin where it can be hopefully taken up by the lymphatic system. MASSAGE CUPPING: lotion is applied and the therapist glides the cup(s) on the body, using massage techniques. The cup can be lifted without breaking suction to pull outwards on the tissue, decompressing an area. Marks, if any, will tend to be little dots and small bruises. Plastic, silicone, or glass cups may be used.
