Cupping

 Tissue restrictions from muscle, fascia, old scar tissue, and injury can result in decreased range-of-motion, asymmetry, and sub-optimal muscle performance.

The theory behind cupping is that the suction will lift the skin, creating more blood flow to the underlying tissue to promote healing. By lifting and stretching the fascia, cupping may help to stimulate the chemical breakdown of toxins that delay muscle and tissue healing—this process reduces inflammation and can help facilitate normalized movement.

Cupping may be beneficial in treating a variety of conditions, including:

• Lower back pain
• Sciatica
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Foot and Ankle pain
• Hip and knee pain 
• Migraines
• Many soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains and restrictions.

Note: Cupping therapy can result in deep red circles where the cups were placed. Like they did for Michael Phelps. While these visible circles can last for a week or more, they generally shouldn’t cause any pain other than some minor initial soreness.

Cupping is one of many modalities that may be used as part of your individualized physical therapy treatment program at the Running Lab and Forward Motion Physical Therapy, if both you and the therapist deems it appropriate.