Benefits of Therapeutic Cupping Therapeutic cupping -- or cupping therapy -- is a technique that has been used for thousands of years in ancient medicine and is making its way into the mainstream. Maybe you …
Benefits of Therapeutic Cupping
Therapeutic cupping — or cupping therapy — is a technique that has been used for thousands of years in ancient medicine and is making its way into the mainstream. Maybe you have heard of it, maybe you haven’t. But if you’ve seen someone that has taken advantage of the benefits of therapeutic cupping, it’s noticeable. Several celebrities and Olympic athletes have been “caught” in recent years with round red marks on their backs — popularizing this ancient technique.
In physical therapy, therapeutic cupping is used to help patients obtain many health benefits. From relaxation to increasing blood flow, improving immune function and decreasing muscle tightness, our patients are reaping the benefits of therapeutic cupping.
How Does Cupping Work?
While many celebrities report relaxation among the benefits of therapeutic cupping, cupping works by encouraging capillaries to expand and promotes the flow of fluids coming and going from muscle tissues.
There are several types of therapeutic cupping and your physical therapist will only use the methods that they have been trained in to help you see health benefits and improved function. Among the types of therapeutic cupping out there are:
Types of Therapeutic Cupping
- Dry: most common of all cupping techniques, cups are heat sealed and placed for a period of up to 15 minutes
- Wet: not as common in the US, involves blood-letting
- Fixed: cups are “fixed” in place on your body and left for the process
- Moving: cups are placed (usually on the back) and slid around the muscle tissue
There are many benefits to therapeutic cupping, including:
- Removing toxins
- Stimulating blood flow
- Increasing lymphatic function
- Improving immune function
- Improving digestion
- Relaxation
- Decreasing muscle tightness
- Increasing energy
Side Effects
While patients report that therapeutic cupping is not painful, there may be some side effects. This can include slight discomfort during the procedure and temporary skin discoloration after use that will eventually go away.
Pregnant women or patients who bleed easily or have certain conditions such as skin infections, inflammation, ulcers or other sensitivities should not undergo therapeutic cupping. Cupping therapy should be performed by a trained and licensed physical therapist.
If you are interested in experiencing the benefits of therapeutic cupping for yourself, please contact us today.
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