Dry Cupping

What is it?

Dry cupping is a technique used in conjunction with massage therapy. Cupping pulls the blood to a region to stimulate healing. It is effective at stretching tight fascia and muscles. Cupping helps the tissue develop new blood flow and stimulates the healing process. Cupping is generally painless and many versions of cupping can be found in different cultures such as; Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

How does it work?

Initially, dry cupping pulls blood into an area. The tissue becomes saturated with fresh blood whilst the vacuum pulls the stagnant blood out of the area. This is demonstrated by the hickey like appearance that is typically left behind. The mark may produce a black and blue appearance, but is rarely painful.

As new blood is is forced into the tissues around the cups the body will begin to develop new blood vessels called neovascularisation, this means new blood vessel formation. As the new vessels form they will have the capability to feed the tissues with nutrients and oxygen.

Dry cupping also produces sterile inflammation. This is where the body releases white blood cells, platelets, fibroblasts and other chemicals to promote healing. When the vacuum occurs, it causes separation of the different levels of tissue which can cause microtrauma and tearing. The microtrauma is registered by the body, which then initiates sterile inflammation, thereby initiating the healing response.

Furthermore, dry cupping produces a stretch action within the muscles and fascia. When 10 or so cups are applied to an injured area it can produce a stretch reflex within the connective tissue and fascia, resulting in increased pliability and range of motion.

History

Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient holistic healthcare system that has been used for the treatment of injuries, whether derived from sports or every day activities, for many thousands of years. Traditionally, the Chinese Medicine style of cupping differs from modern techniques used by manual therapists, as the Chinese Medicine style targets the acupuncture channels and the acupuncturists aim is to balance, or move energy (Qi) within the body. The modern manual therapy style cupping aims to target the musculoskeletal system to reduce muscular tension and restore range of motion.