Does Cupping works for you?

Cupping therapy is a therapeutic method that uses vacuum pressure on the skin’s surface to reduce pain, improve circulation, and decrease inflammation. Recently, cupping has become very popular in the United States. Healthcare providers and massage therapists use this technique to treat their patients and have seen positive results. Many professional athletes and celebrities are also big fans of cupping therapy.

Cupping therapy has been practiced for centuries, tracing back to ancient times. You can find records of it in early civilizations like Egypt, China, and India. Contemporary evidence also supports cupping therapy for its effectiveness in managing various types of pain. The increased oncotic pressure from cupping can stimulate the lymphatic system, aiding in the removal of fluid and waste from the treated area. The pressure created by cupping also inhibits pain signals sent to the brain by upregulating nerve fibers. When combined with acupuncture, cupping may even stimulate nitric oxide production, which regulates blood flow, promotes healthy circulation, and reduces inflammation.

So, does cupping work for you? Are you a good candidate for cupping therapy? Are there any contraindications?

Of course, cupping is not suitable for everyone. As a general rule, cupping should not be applied to infected areas, unhealed wounds, or patients who are on blood thinners or have blood disorders like hemophilia or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Patients with implanted electronic medical devices, pregnant women, and pediatric patients are also contraindicated. Misuse of cupping therapy can drain a patient’s energy and worsen their symptoms.

Reference:

Furhad S, Sina RE, Bokhari AA. Cupping Therapy. [Updated 2023 Oct 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538253/