What is Cupping Therapy?
Have you seen those red circles all over Michael Phelps back and wondered, what are those? Those marks that appear after receiving cupping therapy. Cupping therapy is performed by placing cups on the skin and creating suction. The suction is created in 3 ways : 1. Heating the cup with fire them placing it on the skin and allowing the air to cool and create suction, 2. Using a gun tool to provide a suction in the plastic cup or 3. Using silicone cups and inverting them onto the skin. Don’t worry we do not play with fire at our clinic, you will receive plastic cups and use of the gun tool to provide suction. So, you are probably wondering how exactly it works? The suction brings oxygenated blood flow over the cupped area which allows for the normal process of healing and cellular repair. This will also allow for relief in muscular tension. Another common question is, why does the skin change color? These are not bruises! This is blood rising to the surface to the surface of the skin and an expansion of the capillaries under the skin to allow for healing. Who would benefit from cupping therapy? Athletes, post surgical patients, generalized neck and low back pain, and wide variety of other orthopedic conditions.
If you are experiencing pain, do not wait any longer! You may be an appropriate candidate for cupping therapy, after having a through initial evaluation with one of our highly skilled Physical Therapists. There is help here at Advanced Rehabilitation Physical and Aquatic Therapy and solution to help anyone recover.