When you are stressed, tight, tense or sore, most people consider massage, stretching, chiropractic or acupuncture. BUT have you tried cupping?
What is Cupping?
While the therapy has grown in popularity over the past decade, cupping therapy has been used for thousands of years.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), cupping involves placing cups (made of glass, ceramic, bamboo or plastic) on the skin to create suction. The suction creates a negative pressure allowing for myofascial decompression. In contrast to massage therapy which uses direct pressure to release tension, cupping uses negative pressure to lift muscle fibers and increase blood flow to the area. The treatment typically last 5-15 minutes.
Pros & Cons of Cupping
Cupping can help reduce pain, reduce inflammation, improve muscular and myofascial ailments, improve range of motion and improve blood flow to the problem area. Cupping is relatively pain-free and most patients report a feeling of pressure while the cups are applied. There are very few risks associated with cupping, but be aware that you will have hickey-like bruises on your skin. These bruises typically last a few days to a week in time.
Cupping can irritate skin disorders such as eczema or psoriasis. It is also not recommended if you have kidney, liver or heart failure, have a pacemaker, have hemophilia or any other blood disorders that slow healing times.
If you are interested in cupping, feel free to reach out to us with questions. Or feel free to schedule online below.
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