Have You Thought About Trying Cupping?
Cupping… it seems to be a new modality that has taken off like crazy! If you watch the summer olympics, you have probably seen athletes with cupping marks all over the their back and shoulders. And you are probably thinking… if Michael Phelps has cupping done, it probably works and allows him to be the amazing freak athlete that he is. But does cupping actually work? What does it do? Here is the scoop on cupping (see what I did there):
What is Cupping?
Cupping is an alternative therapy technique that originated in China many many many years ago. (It is not new at all! It is just making a major comeback). The theory behind cupping in Chinese medicine is to use cups to find a balance between yin and yang within the body. If the body is completely balanced between negative and positive charges, there will be less restriction in blood flow and allow the body to conquer pain. The cup is used to suction the skin and fascia lifting it upward allowing blood flow to increase to the area the cup is placed. Having an increase or less restriction in blood flow, promotion of cellular repair takes place which can help with muscle spasm, scar tissue, or generalized “tightness.”
What Conditions Can Cupping Help With?
Cupping really can have a wide variety of uses. Mainly, cupping is best used to alleviate chronic muscle soreness, muscle spasm, scar tissue formation, and areas with decreases in range of motion. It is important to note that the main purpose behind cupping is to increase blood flow, therefore, there are some contraindications to using the modality.
You DO NOT want to use cupping on an acute injury. Acute injuries are currently in an inflammatory phase in which the body is trying to heal itself. Using cups will only create more damage that the body needs to heal. You do not want to use cups over any skin irritation or sunburn especially with those individuals that my have cancer or another condition in which healing is compromised such as diabetes, iron deficiency, or adults taking blood-thinners. Children and elderly should use cupping with caution.
How Does It Work?
There are different techniques and types of cupping that can be used to help with tissue healing. There is wet and dry cupping as well as stationary versus gliding or sliding techniques. All serve a purpose in helping to reduce pain. Fire cupping is another option in which fire is placed within the glass cup to create more heat for the tissue.
The treatment itself involves suctioning the skin into the cup that is placed on the skin and stays on anywhere from 1-10 minutes. The treatment time is on a case-by-case basis in which the health care practitioner will monitor the cups to decide when the treatment can be complete. This can be mildly painful and possibly leave bruising on the skin for a few days afterwards. The bruising is not a bad thing though! It shows that there was an increase of blood flow to the area and the body is now working to heal the tissue. That is the goal!
Things To Keep in Mind
Cupping is an alternative method to healing that should be incorporated into an overall treatment plan. Cupping should not be the ONLY treatment. Corrective exercise is important for any injury or dysfunction to make sure the issues are being fixed and not just treated for pain. The goal is to get rid of pain for good right?!
Not all practitioners have a medical background and education in cupping therapy. Make sure if cupping therapy is suggested that you ask questions! What type of cupping does the medical professional want to use? Is the facility and cupping set clean and sanitized? Does the medical professional have a certification that allows them to practice alternative modality treatments such as cupping? Always make sure to ask questions before trying cupping for your safety.
Lastly, cupping is not for everyone! Some people do not like how the cups feel on their skin. Some people respond better to the treatment than others. And that is okay! Cupping is a tool to use to help with healing, not an only option.