Why Seek Cupping Therapy for Your Health and Wellness?
Cupping therapy is based on ancient Chinese medicine and focuses on pressure points. This therapy is widely used to relieve pain from a number of conditions. Cupping involves specialized cups which suction the skin at the area of concern. This causes blood flow to be reduced to the area for several minutes. Once the cups are taken off, blood flow and nutrients rush to the area, releasing the toxins and promoting increased healing.
What are the Benefits of Cupping Therapy?
Cupping Can:
- Break down scar tissue and adhesions deep in tissues
- Reduce trigger point in muscle
- Improve circulation
- Increase healing to the area
- Relieve pain
- Increase range of motion
- Decrease toxins
- Reduce scar tissue and improve mature scars
What are the Side Effects of Cupping?
Cupping is generally relaxing and no discomfort is felt. Once the cups are released, it is normal to experience some redness and heat as this area is brought to your body's attention. Mild soreness and bruising are also typical after a cupping therapy session. This bruising typically stays for 3-5 days, but can take as long as one week depending on how stagnant the blood flow in the area is or how badly injured the tissues are. The area is almost never tender to the touch like a normal bruise, only appearing visually like one. This is a great alternative to pain relief if you are seeking to avoid opioid or over-the-counter medication use.
Who Can Benefit from Cupping Therapy?
Almost anyone can benefit from cupping therapy. It is used to help improve mobility, relieve pain, reduce scar tissue and improve mature scars. A few examples of conditions that may benefit from cupping therapy include plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, muscle spasm, low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain or impingement, and sciatic nerve pain.
When this therapy is performed, it can be done a few different ways. The first way is the traditional form of cupping where the cups are placed in the area of concern, and then are left on for 9-10 minutes. Another technique is called “slide and glide”, which involves applying lotion to the skin and moving the cup along the area of concern. The slide and glide technique is a great way to help reduce fascial adhesions in the tissues and therefore reducing pain.
Cupping therapy is a great holistic option to aid in pain relief, inflammation, reduce scar tissue and adhesions, and help get lymph and blood flow moving. Many patients experience a decrease in symptoms immediately after treatment. If this is an option you are interested in, make sure to bring this up with Dr. Hope at the time of your appointment. We make sure at Health with Hope Chiropractic that your treatment plan is a team effort between you and the doctor and we want you to let us know what your preferences are.
Who Should Take Precautions with Cupping Therapy?
Please inform your Doctor if you are currently on a blood thinner or are pregnant, as this does change how the Chiropractor will perform the therapy on you. In patients who are on a blood thinner, bruising is more typical, so a more gentle cupping approach should be used. During pregnancy, the placement of the cups is important as well as the timeline at which cupping can be performed. Risks and benefits of this therapy are discussed in detail at the time of your appointment to ensure that it is a safe and effective option for you.
Have more questions?
If you have any questions when it comes to cupping therapy, you can schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation to ask Dr. Hope Ramales any questions you may have prior to setting up an initial consultation and find out if we are the right fit for you.