Cupping is a form of therapeutic manual therapy that originated from Egypt and China early in their history. With the use of plastic or glass bulbs or cups you create a vacuum like seal over the skin. There are various methods to perform such as dry, fire, wet or flash cupping. The primary method that we use here is static and dynamic dry cupping.
What Does Cupping Do?
The negative pressure that is created with the vacuum seal helps to separate the layers of skin and fascia to allow for increased blood flow, improved lymphatic fluid movement, and endorphin release to help reduce pain levels.
Static v. Dynamic
Static dry cupping is when the cups are placed over the affected areas and left in place for a predetermined period of time. Generally from 5-15 min at a time depending on tolerance.
Dynamic Dry Cupping is when the cups are placed in specified areas and then the patient either actively moves or is passively moved through different ranges of motion to help increase this.
After you go through an evaluation with your Doctor of PT they will determine whether or not this is something that is appropriate for you. It may also be introduced while you are going through your active treatment sessions to help facilitate your recovery process.