Do you suffer from chronic pain?
Cupping therapy may provide relief!
While the popularity of cupping has significantly increased in the past recent years, it isn’t a new practice. In fact, it was originally used by the ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern cultures. It is an ancient form of alternative medicine that is performed by placing cups on the skin, in order to create suction.
Today, it is used as a way to relieve pain, promote relaxation, enhance blood flow, and ease inflammation. To find out more about how cupping may benefit you, request a free screening at Cutting Edge Physical Therapy today.
What exactly is cupping therapy?
Have you seen people with circular bruises and wondered where they came from? Cupping involves the placement of round cups directly on the skin where you have pain or tension. The cups are heated, or a practitioner will use a pump to create the suction needed to hold them to your body. The cups are then left on your skin for several minutes each session.
Our Salt Lake City physical therapists apply rubber or silicone cups to your skin during cupping therapy. The cups create a vacuum that causes the skin to rise and the blood vessels to enlarge. This helps relieve pain and induce relaxation while promoting increased blood flow to reduce inflammation.
Applying cupping to areas of tension and specific points of high irritability (i.e., trigger points) is a way to relieve musculoskeletal pain. Trigger points are thought to trigger local and referred pain and are often the result of trauma or overuse.
The exact mechanism of pain control is still being researched, with the leading theory being explained by Gate Control Theory. The gate control theory is essentially where a non-painful input closes the nerve “gates” so the pain is blocked.
Nitric oxide is associated with muscle relaxation and less tension and pain. Muscle tension is also positively affected by cupping due to increased local blood flow. When blood flow is increased, nitric oxide levels are also increased.
Why should I choose cupping?
Cupping can sometimes be described as a “tissue distraction release” technique. During the cupping process, the cups are glided across different areas of the body in order to lift and separate tissue. This works to enhance the release of the interfaces between the neural tissues, fascia, skin, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. It relaxes muscles, releases trigger points, improves lymphatic flow, increases local circulation, and releases scar tissue adhesion. Evidence supports cupping as an effective treatment method for several conditions, such as chronic neck pain, low back pain, and fibromyalgia.
There are three forms of cupping techniques: longitudinal, cross fiber, and circular. The most common form is longitudinal, where the cup is glided longitudinally across the muscle fibers. Cross fiber is used when it is believed that the tissue is scarred. Circular is typically used at the end of the session, in order to ensure that all areas were covered.
It is no secret that cupping is a common and popular practice among athletes. In fact, several athletes from the 2016 Rio Olympics used cupping. A running patient with over a year history of iliotibial band (ITB) pain reported instant relief following a three-minute session of cupping. The technique was repeated a week later. Following only two cupping sessions, he was symptom-free and returned to his usual running routine.
Contact Cutting Edge Physical Therapy right away to find the relief you have been looking for!
Are you tired of living with persistent pain and looking for an edge to help your recovery? You may benefit from cupping therapy. Call today to speak with one of our Salt Lake City physical therapists to determine whether cupping therapy is right for you.
