Myofascial Cupping Therapy
Have you seen this old ad from Under Armour featuring 28 time Olympic-medal winner Michael Phelps? It is an inspiring video that shows the strength, determination, and recovery required to be a record-setting world champion. If you observe closely you’ll see Phelps getting cupping.
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What is cupping?
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To perform cupping, either glass or silicone cups are placed on the skin, the superficial muscle layer is drawn up into the cup by use of a vacuum gun. This stimulates the circulation of blood, breaks up adhesions, and creates a route for toxins to be drawn out of the body through the lymphatic system. Cupping can affect tissues up to four inches deep—impacting blood vessels, fascia, muscles, and scar tissue.
Cupping decompresses adhesions and scar tissue, relaxes muscles in spasm, decreases trigger-point pain, and decreases tissue changes and inflammation following trauma. Cumulative treatments increase muscle endurance, circulation, and lymphatic drainage. They enhance athletes’ overall ability to recover from workouts and strenuous activity.
For people with needle fears, cupping on its own can offer a great alternative treatment to dry needling.
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Where do the cups go?
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Most pictures of cupping show it being done on the back, and that is a common place to receive cupping. However, cupping can be done on any part of the body where there’s enough skin to support the cups.
There are two types of popular cupping techniques, stationary and gliding cups. Stationary cups are where one or several cups are placed in the treatment zone for 5-10 minutes. Gliding cups are when a topical ointment or liniment is placed on the skin and then the cups are gently moved across the skin, usually along meridians or fascia/muscle planes. I like to use Tiger Balm with gliding cups on tight and sore muscles.
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What does cupping feel like?
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Many people assume cupping will be very painful when they have seen the marks cupping can sometimes leave on the skin. However cupping is mostly pleasant enough - like a unique form of massage.
Cupping is different from massage in that with massage, the tissues are pressed, whereas cupping is the opposite—the tissues are pulled up. Cupping feels like a suction is pulling away tension from tight and painful areas of the body.
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Why does cupping leave marks on the skin?
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Depending on the amount of suction and the state of the underlying tissues, cupping can leave circular marks on the skin that range from a light yellow to pinkish red to dark purple.
Cupping creates more space between the tissue layers to get rid of dead cellular debris and excess fluids and toxins. It also breaks up scar tissue. The marks, then, are caused by this debris being pulled up and deposited under the skin, which is actually the most effective place for the lymphatic system to drain it away.
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What are the benefits of cupping?
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Stimulates whole-body relaxation response (parasympathetic response)
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Stimulates oxygenation and detoxification of blood while promoting a feeling of lightness and tension relief
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Detoxifies metabolic debris in muscle tissue, fascia, and skin
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Increases range of motion, breaks up adhesions, and promotes healing in scar tissue and chronic injury sites
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Increases lymphatic drainage and promotes circulation
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Given these benefits, here are some of the conditions for which cupping can be really helpful:
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Tight and stiff muscles
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Back pain and sciatica
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Piriformis syndrome and IT band pain
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Rotator cuff injuries
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Plantar fasciitis
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Migraines
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Respiratory conditions, including asthma and bronchitis
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Stress
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High blood pressure (by calming the nervous system)
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Cellulite
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Are there any cautions to be aware of with cupping?
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As mentioned, cupping (especially stationary cupping) can leave marks on your skin. It may take a few days to a week to fade completely. This is important to be aware of if you have a wedding or special event to attend!
Keep the area where you received cupping covered from extreme changes in temperature (for example, a hot sauna or cold air conditioning) immediately after treatment. Cupping opens your pores, making you more susceptible to catching a cold.
Do not receive cupping on the low abdomen or low back if you are pregnant.
Do not receive cupping on areas where you have thin or damaged skin, or if you are taking blood thinners.
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