Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative therapy which dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Middle Eastern cultures. During cupping therapy, therapists apply glass, bamboo or silicone cups to the skin for a few seconds to create suction. The application of cups can be used to treat a variety of conditions, such as:
- Muscle pain and tension
- Reduced joint movement
- Headaches
- Back pain & sciatica
- Stress & anxiety
There are two forms of cupping which includes, Wet Cupping and Dry Cupping. During wet cupping, a slight incision is made to the area of skin and the cup is placed over the area in order to bleed the area.
During dry cupping, the cups are placed over several areas to create a vacuum which lifts the soft tissue and creates an upward stretch within the muscle and associated fascia. Myofascial cupping involves using suction cups in physical therapy to establish a vacuum over particular areas of the skin, promoting healing and relaxation. This vacuum effect helps to increase the blood flow and induces a stretch effect, which results in a reduction of muscles tension and associated pain. During dry cupping the cups can either be left in a static position or moved to provide a deep tissue massage effect.
Dry cupping works well in conjunction with traditional sports massage, as the lifting effect of the cups works together with the downward pressure of massage.