Cupping Therapy at The Sports Club Physical Therapy of West Bloomfield
Relieve Your Pain With Cupping Techniques
Have You Heard of the Healing Properties of Cupping?
Did you know cupping has been around for centuries?
While the popularity of cupping has significantly increased in the past recent years, it isn’t a new practice. It originates from ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern cultures.
Cupping is an ancient form of alternative medicine that places cups on the skin, creating suction. Today, it relieves pain, promotes relaxation, enhances blood flow, and eases inflammation.
To find out more about how cupping may benefit you, request an appointment at The Sports Club Physical Therapy today.
What does a cupping session look like?
Cupping is a fairly intricate process.
Our West Bloomfield physical therapist will begin by placing a flammable substance (such as alcohol or herbs) into the cup and setting it on fire.
As the fire subsides, the cup goes upside down onto your skin. As the air in the cup begins to cool, it creates a vacuum, causing the skin to rise and blood vessels to expand. In some modern practices, rubber pumps replace fire, and silicone cups create a massaging effect.
How will I benefit from this treatment?
Cupping is a “tissue distraction release” technique. During the cupping process, the cups are glided across different areas of the body in order to lift and separate tissue.
This works to enhance the release of the interfaces between the neural tissues, fascia, skin, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. It relaxes muscles, releases trigger points, improves lymphatic flow, increases local circulation, and releases scar tissue adhesion.
Evidence supports it is as an effective treatment method for several conditions, such as chronic neck pain, low back pain, and fibromyalgia.
There are three forms of cupping techniques: longitudinal, cross-fiber, and circular. The most common form is longitudinal, where the cup is glided longitudinally across the muscle fibers.
Cross fiber is used when it is believed that the tissue is scarred. Circular is typically used at the end of the session, in order to ensure that all areas were covered.
It is no secret that cupping is a common and popular practice among athletes. In fact, several athletes from the 2016 Rio Olympics used cupping.
A running patient with over a year history of the iliotibial band (ITB) pain reported instant relief. It was after a three-minute session of cupping! The technique was repeated a week later.
Following only two cupping sessions, he was symptom-free and returned to his usual running routine.
How do I know this will work?
While there are some apprehensions toward cupping, there is real science behind it. The suction within the cups creates negative pressure, which helps to increase hydration and blood flow to body tissues, ease up adhesions, and eliminate excess fluids.
This versatile treatment is adaptable for your condition, whether you are in need of deep tissue massage or lymphatic drainage.
If you’re considering cupping, be aware that this treatment is not for skin with wounds, infections, burns, or active inflammation. This therapy can sometimes create bruises on the skin that can last up to two weeks. Bruises typically resolve themselves with time and should not be of concern.
Ready to add cupping to your PT sessions?
If you are in West Bloomfield and have an injury or health condition that is limiting you from living your life the way you want, start with requesting an appointment with The Sports Club Physical Therapy of West Bloomfield.
There are several benefits to this ancient therapy. It can boost your skin health, help with respiratory issues, and even improve digestion. It also speeds up the recovery time of certain injuries and ailments while reducing your injury’s symptoms.
By scheduling an appointment with The Sports Club Physical Therapy of West Bloomfield, you will meet with our licensed physical therapist to figure out if cupping is right for you!
