Can Cupping Help Me?
“What is that perfectly round bruised area on your neck?”
“Oh, I’ve just been having some cupping done at my physical therapy clinic.”
“Cupping? What is that?”
Cupping in our clinic involves the use of various sized hard plastic cups and a pneumatic pump in order to affix the cups to the area to be treated. Once applied, the cups cause increased circulation in the area and the physical therapist is able to use the cup for a static hold to increase circulation to the tissue - or it can be used with movements to assist in release of myofascial restrictions. The type of cupping we use at Shift Physical Therapy is called “dry cupping.”
Cupping in other settings or other parts of the world can include the use of fire to create the seal of the cup, or even another type of cupping called “wet cupping” where blood-letting occurs as part of the treatment.
Why would someone place a plastic cup and then suck up the tissue below it as part of a treatment session?
Dry cupping, as we use in our physical therapy clinic, has been shown in studies to be effective for use with muscular neck and back pain. Other conditions can be treated as well including forearm, upper arm/shoulder, calf, and leg pain due to muscular conditions. Cupping works by creating negative pressure and allowing increased blood flow and lymphatic circulation in the tissues being treated. This facilitates improved healing of tissues and disposal of waste products from the tissues.
Cupping may not be appropriate for all people, it is not recommended to perform cupping on patients who are on high doses of anti-coagulants (blood thinners) due to the risk of bleeding, or others with active cancer or bleeding disorders. It is also not appropriate to perform over open wounds, infected/inflamed skin, over areas of fracture, over severe sprains or full ligament ruptures. Cupping may not be useful in areas with large amounts of hair present (inability for cup to stick) or in areas with very little muscle mass.
Common side effects include an area of redness or bruising after the session which may last for several hours to several days. Other side effects that have been reported include skin irritation, headaches, dizziness, vasovagal attack (sudden drop in heart rate/blood pressure that can cause fainting), nausea, and insomnia. Side affects beyond bruising/redness in the area are very rare.
If you are experiencing muscular discomfort and are interested in cupping as part of your therapy experience, we are here for you!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Shift Physical Therapy via phone, email, or you can always stop in to visit us for a FREE consultation!
Phone: (763) 645 - 1113
Email: info@shiftptwell.com
Free Consultation
Written by: Renee Hancock, Physical Therapist
