What is cupping and what is it used for?

Cupping is a therapeutic technique that has been around for thousands of years, and may be used to treat muscle pain, soreness, and tightness. You may have spotted (pun intended) some professional athletes with round and pink/purple marks??? This may be from cupping!! Cupping may enhance recovery or aid to improve blood circulation by stretching underlying skin and helping release fascia and underlying trigger points.

Cupping process:

The process is simple, specialised glass cups are used to perform this therapy. The practitioner may also use a flame to generate pressure within the cup which aids the suction of the skin into the cup. These cups can then be left over the same area for around 5 minutes or so, before they are removed or shifted to a different area.

How will this feel and what happens during and after?

The application of the cups can be experienced as a feeling of ‘pressure’. This feeling may be more different or more intense to the feeling of soft tissue massage. Cupping may provide relief from your pain and tension post treatment, however, tenderness and muscle soreness can be felt for up to 2 days after cupping therapy. The red/purple markings from the cups will vary from patient to patient – however they can last for up to 4 weeks post treatment.

If you have any questions about the inclusion of cupping as part of your treatment, our practitioners will be more then happy to answer any queries you may have. This is another service we offer at Keilor Health Centre that may benefit your condition and improve your recovery.