Living with Pain? Cupping Can Help You Find Relief
Relieve Your Aches and Pains
Cupping is a form of pain relief treatment that has been around for an incredibly long time – centuries!
While the popularity of this therapy has increased dramatically in recent years, this is not a new technique. In fact, it was originally used by ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern cultures.
Cupping is an ancient type of alternative medicine that utilizes suction by putting cups on the skin.
It is used today as a means of alleviating pain, encouraging relaxation, improving blood flow, and easing inflammation.
Click here to schedule an appointment with Step Ahead Physical Therapy today to find out more about how cupping can benefit you!
What can I expect from these treatments?
Cupping is a rather complex technique. Our Cambridge and Marblehead physical therapists will use rubber pumps or silicone cups and put them upside down on your skin. As the air in the cup begins to cool, a vaccum is created, causing the skin to rise and the blood vessels to expand.
How can cupping help me?
Cupping can often be described as a “tissue distraction release” technique. In order to raise and isolate tissue, cups glide over different parts of the body during the process.
This works to increase the release of neural tissues, fascia, skin, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Cupping works to relax the muscles, release trigger points, stimulate lymphatic flow, increase local circulation, and release scar tissue adhesion.
Evidence supports cupping as an effective treatment technique for many disorders, such as chronic neck pain, low back pain, and fibromyalgia.
There are three types of cupping techniques available: longitudinal, cross-fiber, and circular. Longitudinal is the most common form in which the cup glides longitudinally across the muscle fibers.
Cross fiber is used when the tissue is believed to be scarred. Circular is typically used at the end of the session to ensure that all areas have been covered.
It is no secret that the practice of cupping among athletes is common and widespread. In fact, a number of athletes from the 2016 Rio Olympics used cupping.
How will I know if cupping will help my specific condition?
While there are some doubts about cupping, there is science behind the technique. The suction in the cups produces negative pressure, which helps increase hydration and blood flow to body tissues, reduce bondage, and eliminate excess fluids.
If you need lymphatic drainage or deep tissue massage, this is a versatile treatment that can be tailored to your condition.
It is important to bear in mind that cups are not a method of treatment involving wounds, infections, burns, or active inflammation of the skin.
Cupping can also cause bruises that can last up to two weeks on the skin. Bruises usually repair themselves over time, and they’re not something to worry about.
Discover how physical therapy can benefit you today
There are a number of benefits associated with cupping. It can boost your skin’s health, help with respiratory problems, and even improve digestion. It is also used to speed up the recovery time and reduce symptoms of certain injuries and illnesses.
Are you currently living with an injury or health condition that keeps you from living your life the way you want to? It’s time to take control of your health; start by scheduling an appointment at our Cambridge and Marblehead physical therapy office.
Meet one of our licensed Cambridge and Marblehead physical therapists and find out if cupping is right for you! At Step Ahead Physical Therapy, we are here to provide you with the relief you need.