Cupping Therapy

Muscle and soft tissue problems may be treated with cupping therapy at Bodywork Physical Therapy. This manual therapy technique is available for appropriate patients from pre-teen through adult.

While performing cupping therapy, the physical therapist uses cups and a hand-held vacuum pump to lift the skin and fascia. The cups can be held in a stationary position, or the physical therapist may choose to glide the cup along your skin.

The benefits of cupping therapy are as follows:

• Decreasing inflammation
• Decreasing muscle spasms
• Decreasing pain
• Improving blood and oxygen circulation
• Improving range of motion

Common conditions that can be treated with cupping are:

• Neck, shoulder, and back pain
• Rotator cuff syndrome
• Shoulder and elbow tendonitis
• Hip tension and piriformis syndrome
• IT band syndrome
• Shin splints
• Achilles tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis

Many of our patients feel the benefits of cupping in as little as one treatment. As with all therapies, there is a small risk of minor side effects from cupping therapy. These side effects can include:

• Bruising is most common, but most bruises disappear within 10 days
• Mild soreness in the areas where cupping is used

Please communicate with your therapist about any concerns you may have regarding pain or discomfort after therapy. Your therapist can adjust the amount of pressure in future treatments to reduce side effects.