Cupping/Vacuum Therapy
Cupping Therapy, also known as Vacuum Therapy and Integrative Microcirculation Therapy, can be a great treatment for back, neck, shoulder, elbow, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Cupping Reduces:
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Scarring
- Adhesions
- Tissue tightness
- Muscle weakness
Cupping Promotes:
- Increased blood circulation
- Biomechanical balance
- Homeostasis
- Superficial fascial stretching
Cupping therapy works by creating a vacuum under the cup, forming essentially an airtight seal. The cup sucks to the skin, pulling upwards on the soft tissue underneath. During treatment, you may feel an initial “tightness”, however, this eases after a few minutes. Dark circular marks usually remain on the body from a few days to two weeks. These circles may look like bruising, but cupping does not create an injury, it instead reveals soft tissue dysfunction. As you continue treatment, these circles will become less dark and less painful indicating improved healing.
After age forty, 40-60% of microcirculation of the tissues becomes latent or non-functional. Similar issues occur in athletes and weekend warriors of all ages due to over training. Blood flow decreases and the body circulate less nutrients (amino acids, glucose, electrolytes, vitamins, water, etc.) and less oxygen. This causes the accumulation of toxins, which can impair or totally arrest the metabolism of cells. Cupping enhances self-healing by improving the lymphatic system, blood flow, and causing the body to regenerate capillaries, reducing inflammation and toxins, and promoting homeostasis.
Your therapist may use cupping therapy as part of your treatment during your Physical Therapy or Quick Fix appointments. For more information, check out this article on Cupping Therapy and the video below that shows how Cupping works at Camelback Sports Therapy!
“This is an excellent facility and the staff is wonderful. My strength and mobility have improved greatly. The cupping treatments have helped a great deal with pain. I am most appreciative!” -Marianne C.
