cupping therapy

Cupping therapy has certainly made a big splash in the mainstream media over the past couple of years, thanks to the Men's US gymnastics team and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps who donned the dark colored circles on his back and biceps during his races. These curious circles caught the viewers attention in a big way, and rightfully the New York Times exclaimed that cupping therapy is having an "olympic moment"!

Phelps is not the first athlete to use cupping (see: "Washington Nationals were into cupping long before Phelps made it famous") - but he is one of the first to expose the therapy on such a big stage. And cupping isn't reserved only for athletes, it can be used by most anyone in every walk of life. In our clinic, we typically use cupping every day, for at least 50% of our patients in addition to their acupuncture treatments. And for those who are afraid of needles, cupping therapy is a great alternative. 

Though #cupping is trending now in the US, it is actually a centuries-old healing practice used in many different cultures around the world, and most famously in Chinese Medicine. Think of cupping like the inverse of massage: instead of pressing down on the muscle to release it, the cups create a suction, pulling up on the fascia and muscles to release tension and increase blood flow. Similar to massage, cupping is a very relaxing and enjoyable experience - despite what the marking might lead you to believe! 

The cups can be made out of different materials, including plastic and glass. The ways to start the process can also vary. In our clinic, we often use the traditional method, which uses cotton balls, rubbing alcohol, and fire to get the therapy started. Other types of cups can be applied manually with a pump or silicone suction. There are two styles of cupping: stationary, which involves several cups used in one spot for 5-10 minutes, and moving cups, where massage oil is used over the treatment area and the cups are glided over the muscle planes. 

There is an old adage in Chinese Medicine: "If there is free flow, there is no pain; if there is no free flow, there is pain." 

In Chinese Medicine, cupping therapy is all about getting things moving in a healthy way. Cupping encourages the free flow of qi and blood, it breaks up obstruction in the channels, clears heat, and nourishes the sinews. This translates to cupping's ability to: increase circulation and bring new blood to the tissues while dispersing old blood; increase the secretion of synovial fluid in the joints; stretch the fascia and connective tissue; decompress adhesions and scar tissue; and, decrease inflammation. 

Why do athletes use cupping?

The action of cupping helps to relieve aching and tense muscles, maximizes the potential of their muscles, promotes healthy blood flow to the tissues which helps to prevent injury in areas of overuse (which is why cupping is great to use for pre or post-workout recovery), encourages better mobility and range of motion, quickens the recovery time of chronic injuries, and prevents old injuries from flaring. 

What's up with the circles?

Not everyone who receives cupping therapy will get those dark colored purple markings, as Michael Phelps did. The color of the circles can range from light pink to dark purple, and is dependent on the amount of stagnation in the area, how much tension there is in the muscle, the quality of the person's blood, and how long an injury has been in place. But, fear not - the circles are temporary, and they may fade immediately or last for up to a week. No matter the color, the cupping achieves the same goal: bringing circulation and fresh blood to the tissues, muscles, and cells and lessening tension to treat old injuries and prevent new ones from occurring.  

Again, being a gold-medal Olympian is not a prerequisite for using cupping. Athletes and non-athletes alike can benefit from the therapy, and it can be used to treat conditions other than muscle pain and sports injuries. 

Other benefits and uses of cupping include: 

* Alleviating hip pain and tightness in the IT band
* Treating rotator cuff injuries
* Opening the lungs to treat respiratory disorders
* Improving blood flow in the pelvic cavity to benefit fertility and treat painful or irregular periods
* Improving sluggish digestion
* Boosting overall wellbeing and energy by increasing circulation and oxygenating the cells and tissues
* Stimulating the lymphatic system and detoxification of cellular waste
* Relaxing the nervous system to ease anxiety and promote better sleep
* Releasing muscle tension due to stress
* Alleviating migraines and headaches
* Treating nerve compression or numbness and tingling in the legs and arms
* Decreasing rheumatism and inflammation

There are times when cupping is used with caution or not at all, and this includes during pregnancy and on those with bleeding disorders or damaged skin. 

Schedule an appointment with us to learn more about how you can benefit from cupping and experience it for yourself!