Cupping

Cupping is a manual therapy technique that is used to assist with pain management, decrease muscle or fascia tightness and promote healing. This is done by attaching plastic, glass, or silicone cups to the skin via suction. Cupping differs from other manual techniques because it provides a decompressive force to the tissues. This negative pressure draws blood flow to the area, which sparks an inflammatory process to promote healing. Typically, the cups are left in place or moved around by the therapist for 5-10 minutes. The therapist can also assist the patient with moving through motions that they are having difficulty performing due to pain or tightness. This technique can leave marks on the skin, but each individual is different with regard to how long the marks will last. Some marks disappear within a few minutes, and some can last for several days.