Cupping

August 13th, 2019
Cupping Tulsa & Broken Arrow, OK

Cupping therapy is used to relieve pain, promote relaxation, enhance blood flow, and ease inflammation. Cups are placed on the affected areas with suction to increase blood flow and remove toxins. A common misconception with cupping is the therapy leaves you bruised after. The marks left by the cups are in fact not bruising, but toxins and stagnant blood removed from the tissue. Increasing your water intake after a session should help decrease the marks and remove the toxins faster. To find out more about how cupping may benefit you, contact Recover today.

Why is cupping performed?

There are several benefits to cupping. It can boost your skin health, help with respiratory issues, and even improve digestion. It is also used to speed up the recovery time of certain injuries and ailments and reduce symptoms.

Cupping can sometimes be described as a “tissue distraction release” technique. During the cupping process, the cups are glided across different areas of the body to lift and separate tissue. This works to enhance the release of the interfaces between the neural tissues, fascia, skin, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. It relaxes muscles, releases trigger points, improves lymphatic flow, increases local circulation, and releases scar tissue adhesion. Evidence supports cupping as an effective treatment method for several conditions, such as chronic neck pain, low back pain, and fibromyalgia.

There are three forms of cupping techniques: longitudinal, cross-fiber, and circular. The most common form is longitudinal, where the cup is glided longitudinally across the muscle fibers. Cross fiber is used when it is believed that the tissue is scarred. Circular is typically used at the end of the session, to ensure that all areas were covered.

It is no secret that cupping is a common and popular practice among athletes. In fact, several athletes from the 2016 Rio Olympics used cupping. A running patient with over a year history of iliotibial band (ITB) pain reported instant relief following a three-minute session of cupping. The technique was repeated a week later. Following only two cupping sessions, he was symptom-free and returned to his usual running.

While there are some apprehensions toward cupping, there is a real science behind it. The suction within the cups is created with negative pressure, which helps to increase hydration and blood flow to body tissues, ease up adhesions, and eliminate excess fluids. It is a versatile treatment that can be modified for the necessary treatment of your condition, whether you need deep tissue massage or lymphatic drainage.

It is important to note that cupping is not a treatment method that will be performed on skin with wounds, infections, burns, or active inflammation.

How can I get started?

Do you have an injury or health condition that is limiting you from living your life the way you want? Do you live in or near Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, or Jenks? If so, don’t hesitate to Contact Us today at our Tulsa, OK office. We’ll help you set up a consultation with one of our licensed physical practitioners to figure out if cupping is right for you!