Are You Dealing with Chronic Pain? Cupping Therapy May Help You Find Relief 

Cupping is a therapeutic treatment used to help relieve pain. During cupping therapy, cups are placed on the skin using suction to help reduce pain, promote relaxation, improve blood circulation, and decrease inflammation.

What Is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping—also known as “soft tissue decompression”—is an ancient form of complementary therapy that was first used to treat pain and reduce inflammation in early Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern societies. When you receive cupping therapy at Recover Fisioterapia & Rehabilitacion, our physical therapists apply inverted rubber suction pumps or silicone cups to your skin. A vacuum is created inside the cup, gently lifting the skin and allowing blood vessels to expand. The cups may be moved across different areas of the body during the session to lift and separate the tissues.

As a result, neural tissues, fascia, skin, ligaments, muscles, and tendons can release more easily. This may help reduce muscle tension, release trigger points, stimulate lymphatic flow, improve circulation, and help break down scar tissue adhesions.

Benefits of Cupping Therapy for Chronic Pain

Evidence supports cupping therapy as an effective treatment technique for many conditions, including chronic neck pain, lower back pain, and fibromyalgia.

While there are some concerns surrounding cupping, the process itself is supported by scientific research. The negative pressure created by suction helps improve tissue hydration and blood flow, reduce tissue restriction, and assist in the removal of excess fluids. The benefits of this treatment are wide-ranging—it may improve skin health, relieve certain respiratory issues, and even support digestion. Cupping is also used to speed up recovery times and help ease symptoms associated with specific injuries and conditions.

There are also different cupping techniques used for different purposes, which your therapist will explain based on your treatment plan. These include longitudinal, cross-fiber, and circular techniques. Longitudinal cupping is the most common and involves sliding the cup along the length of the muscle fibers. Cross-fiber cupping is used when scar tissue is suspected. Circular cupping is typically applied at the end of a session to ensure all areas have been addressed.

It’s important to note that cupping may cause temporary bruising that can last up to two weeks. These marks usually fade on their own over time and are not a cause for concern.