Cupping therapy has become a widely popular modality for treating various musculoskeletal injuries, but what exactly is happening when we use cupping as a form of therapy?
First, there is currently a lack of research on the efficacy of cupping therapy and how it relates to pain and dysfunction. This is likely due to the fact that there is no set protocol for cupping therapy, so results may differ from patient to patient. But, the overall consensus of how cupping therapy works, is that it promotes blood flow to an injured or painful area in order to help with the repair process.
As mentioned, the goal of cupping therapy is to promote blood flow to an area of the body that is injured. The first step that occurs in the body in response to any injured tissue is inflammation. Inflammation is a protective, coordinated response that our body implores whenever we come into contact with an injurious agent. The process of inflammation involves many different types of cells that work together to help heal the injured area.
With that in mind, cupping therapy works by essentially causing further inflammation and distress to the injured or inflamed area. By doing so, this promotes an increase in blood flow to that specific area. The increase in blood flow to the inflamed tissue allows fluids, red blood cells, white blood cells, and other inflammatory mediators to reach the site of injury and help accelerate the healing process.
Cupping therapy has been used to treat a variety of conditions:
- Neck pain
- Low back pain
- Upper back and middle back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Recovery from sport and performance
Depending on the type of injury that a patient presents with, Dr. Vincent will recommend cupping therapy based on examination findings and presenting injuries. Cupping therapy is just one other form of therapy that we use at Premier Sports Chiropractic and Recovery to get you back to living a pain free and active lifestyle!
Dr. Vincent Youngross
