Looking for versatile and effective physical therapy techniques? Cupping therapy can serve your purposes. An ancient form of treatment, cupping still retains its popularity today. The continued use of cupping therapy owes to its significant benefits in addressing a variety of issues. From boosting recovery after a sports injury to alleviating back pain, cupping can serve many purposes in physical therapy. Learning more about what cupping therapy does can help you understand the benefits of this treatment method.

The actual process involved in cupping therapy is fairly simple. While the process has changed slightly over time, the main elements remain the same. The main function of cupping is creating a vacuum around an area of the skin. Some physical therapists accomplish this with a cup along with some kind of flammable substance. To start, the physical therapist ignites the substance in the cup. When the fire burns out, the interior of the cup will be warm. The cup is then placed upside down on the patient’s skin. The location of the cup will depend on your condition. If you are experiencing back pain, for example, the cup will be placed on your back over one of the areas that is causing you discomfort. As the interior of the cup cools, a vacuum will appear between your skin and the cup. The suction will tug at your skin and expand your blood vessels. In some cases, a pump device is used instead of a warm cup. The purpose of cupping in physical therapy is the same regardless of the tool used. By creating suction, cupping can offer many health benefits and address a wide range of conditions. Understanding the main purposes cupping serves in physical therapy can help you decide whether it is right for your condition.

Main purposes of cupping in physical therapy

• Pain management — Experiencing chronic pain? Cupping may be able to offer relief. By relieving tension and increasing circulation, cupping can help alleviate localized pain that has been bothering you. Cupping can be especially helpful in addressing pain that is caused by tension or stiffness. If trigger points (also known as muscle knots) are contributing to your pain, for example, cupping can be highly effective. Being an effective method for pain relief is a central purpose of cupping in physical therapy.
• Muscle relaxation — The suction created by cupping can help relax your muscles. If muscle tightness is causing pain and restricting your range of motion, cupping can be a great solution. When it comes to relaxing your muscles, a major benefit of cupping is its precision. Your physical therapist can place cups directly over tight muscles, allowing for highly accurate and effective care. Cupping for muscle relaxation can be especially beneficial when complemented by other PT techniques. Therapeutic stretching is one great way to further relax your muscles and improve your flexibility. With the addition of cupping to your holistic PT treatment plan, you can experience increased relaxation and greater range of motion in your muscles.
• Reduced swelling — Do you experience swelling around your joints due to arthritis? Have you noticed sudden swelling after a motor vehicle injury? Inflammation can be caused by a lot of issues from high-impact injuries to chronic health conditions. Swelling often leads to other symptoms like pain, stiffness and loss of function. If you are experiencing serious inflammation, finding an effective treatment is important. Cupping therapy can be that treatment. By promoting the flow of internal fluid, cupping can have a major anti-inflammatory effect. This makes it a great choice for managing swelling and supporting the body’s natural healing response.
• Better circulation — Improving your circulation can be crucial to finding relief. Many chronic conditions are worsened by poor blood circulation. If you have an injury, limited circulation can hinder your body’s ability to heal. Improving your blood flow can address these issues. When blood flows properly, it distributes vital nutrients to the areas of the body that need them. These nutrients can accelerate the healing process in damaged tissue. By improving your circulation, you can help reduce scar tissue formation and promote healthy tissue regeneration. 

Experience the benefits of cupping therapy at Continuum Wellness

In physical therapy, cupping is often used for the purpose of providing relief and healing. Want to experience these benefits? At Continuum Wellness, you can. Our experienced team offers cupping therapy in addition to an array of other treatments. We work with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan. By incorporating cupping into your treatment alongside other methods like manual therapy, you can get a major boost on your way to long-term recovery.

Call us or request an appointment today to discover more advantages of physical therapy.