How is Cupping Used in Physical Therapy?

Cupping is an ancient practice that’s still popular today. However today, it’s often used as a part of a broader physical therapy treatment plan. But what is cupping, why is it used in physical therapy and how does it help? 

What is Cupping?

Cupping is a therapeutic technique that has existed since at least 1550 BCE. Cupping therapy involves special cups that are applied to the skin and then suctioned to the body using heat or an air pump, before being removed.

There are two types of cupping: dry and wet. Dry cupping is what’s used in physical therapy. This means that the cup is applied directly to the skin and then suctioned using an air pump. In wet cupping, a small needle is first used to cut the skin before cupping is applied.

Traditionally, cupping was thought to remove toxins from the body – which is why wet cupping involves puncturing the skin, which ancient practitioners thought would allow toxins to escape from the body. Modern cupping is used to help with pain and inflammation, and is often used in conjunction with other therapies like deep tissue massage or the Graston Technique. 

While cupping can look a bit strange to an outside observer, for the patient it can feel very relaxing, as the sensation can be similar to a massage. Patients may have red marks or rings on their body following the treatment, but these typically fade within a day or two. These marks are completely normal and do not inhibit you from participating in normal activities – including continuing your physical therapy with us!

How is Cupping Used in Physical Therapy?

Cupping is an effective technique of tissue distraction release, which stimulates blood circulation. When a physical therapist moves cups across different areas of the body, it helps lift and separate tissue. For people experiencing muscular pain, this can provide relief.

Cupping can also be used simultaneously with exercise to amplify the beneficial effects of the technique.

You may have seen athletes sporting the distinctive post-cupping marks on their skin, and for good reason! Athletes often experience myofascial pain – muscular pain in specific spots – after a workout or a game. Cupping helps relieve this pain and promote healing.

Benefits of Cupping

• Pain relief
• Improved blood flow
• Reduces inflammation
• Relaxes muscles and releases trigger points

Cupping is an important part of a larger physical therapy process. One of our experienced Doctors of Physical Therapy can determine if cupping will be an effective treatment for a patient. While it is highly effective, like any other treatment it’s not always the right answer to the pain someone is experiencing – which is why we look for the root cause of pain and base treatment recommendations around that, not the other way around. 

Related Content: How Do I Know if Physical Therapy is Working?

Get Cupping at PRO Therapy

At PRO Therapy you will always experience precise, caring, and one on one care from a Licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy – no tech aides, no rehab assistants, no personal trainers – to help you decrease pain by the time you walk out the door of your first session and create a plan to adhere to going forward.

If you want to make physical therapy a success, partnering with one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy is going to help you avoid future pain and resolve current pain.

We Love to Help People:

• Keep Active – So you can run after your kids all day, take your grandchildren to the park with ease, enjoy a nice round of golf, run or walk anytime that suits you.
• Stay Free From Painkillers – So you’re not always reaching in the cupboard for pills to ease the pain whenever it strikes, getting only a “quick fix” when you need a “permanent fix” – PLUS they’re no good for your long-term health, “mask” the pain and certainly don’t actually do anything to fix the problem.
• Avoid Dangerous Injections/Surgery – We’ll help you get to the root cause of what’s going on – so you don’t have to get to the point of having to face injections or surgery.
• Found Out What’s Wrong – We’ll help give you peace of mind and ensure that your problem is “corrected” and “healed” properly – also give you a set of exercises perfectly catered to you to help speed up recovery.
• Get More Enjoyment Out Of Life – So you can enjoy quality time with family and friends that your daily aches and pains steal from you – also finally get a good night of sleep without constantly tossing and turning.

Read Now: Why Our Physical Therapy Team Are Amazing (And What They Have Taught Me)

Are you ready to make physical therapy work for you? Give us a call! We offer complimentary phone and in-person consultations. We aim to meet our patients wherever they are in their journey and answer all questions we can to ensure a smooth experience at PRO Therapy. We want to help you make the best decision for you!