Cupping

Cupping has been around for a very long time, in fact, Ancient Egypt has text from 1550 BC that mentions cupping therapy. Cupping therapy is part of many ancient healing systems, such as Chinese, Unani, traditional Korean, Tibetan, and Oriental medicine. Hippocrates, the ancient Greek Physician, also has documented extensive descriptions of cupping. Today, cupping has been an accepted very safe technique for musculoskeletal conditions.

Your therapists will use a silicone cupping system that will allow the tissue to have a sub-atmospheric pressure suction. This is believed to result in a release of the tissues. This process allows the skin to rise and the blood vessels to expand. The cups can then be glided across different areas to lift and separate the tissue. This enhances the release of interfaces between the neural tissues, fascia, skin, ligaments, muscle, and tendons.

Benefits of Cupping:

Cupping helps to increase the blood flow throughout a muscle
Cupping allows nutrients to circulate into the area being treated
Cupping can provide pain relief by exciting small nerves within the muscle that will result in a chemical reaction, releasing pain inhibitors
Cupping is very relaxing and helps reduce muscular restrictions, scar/adhesions, decreased swelling, and increase rom.

Ready to learn more? Explore our related posts below all written by our own team at Hampton Physical Therapy.

Spring Cleaning: Taking Care to Prevent or Address Elbow Injury

A breakdown of a potential injury that can occur in your elbow that can easily become debilitating if not addressed early. By Michael Brezak, PT, DPT Winter may be finally coming to an end with the appearance of grass and increase in wet puddles in the road and yard....

Spinal Stenosis – What is it and What can I do about it?

By NICOLE CARVILLE, DPT – Hampton Physical Therapy South Spinal stenosis is an extremely common diagnosis that I see patients with daily as a Physical Therapist. Some patients present with x-ray or MRI findings diagnosing “lumbar spinal stenosis” at a certain spinal...

Which to choose? Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

by KATE SERODIO, DPT It is that time of year again; time to pick your Health insurance plan! The question is, will you opt to stick with your Medicare and Medigap (supplemental Medicare plan that fills in the 'gaps') or change to a Medicare Advantage Plan. The first...