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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 o...
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.
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:
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.