Get Sucked In: Cupping Benefits
If you’ve been a patient at Elite Physical Therapy and Performance, you already know that we use a wide range of manual therapy techniques to help you feel better and get back to doing what you love. One of these techniques is cupping- no, it's not a new coffee trend, but it might perk you up just as much!
We use rubber cups that create a strong yet flexible vacuum, allowing your tissue to lift and move in a decompressive way, different from the compressive forces of a typical massage. Think of it as giving your muscles a little space to breathe. We can hold the cups in one spot, glide them around, or even pair them with movements of the body part being treated. The suction expands blood vessels in the area, improving blood flow and often causing a bit of redness where the cups were applied.
How We Use Cupping
At Elite Physical Therapy and Performance, we use cupping primarily for soft tissue mobilization and myofascial release. Here are some key benefits:
Releasing tissue restrictions: Helps improve range of motion and movement patterns
Breaking up scar tissue: Useful at sites of injury or surgical incisions
Increasing blood flow: Promotes healing in specific areas
Decompressing tissue tension: Helps along nerves or vessels
Moving swelling: Improves lymphatic drainage
Improving pressure-pain thresholds: Helps manage pain
Relaxing muscle tension: Eases tight muscles
Cupping Misconceptions
Cupping has been around for centuries, used for various ailments in different settings, but it gained a lot of attention during the 2016 Rio Olympics when Michael Phelps sported those telltale round marks on his body. This led many to believe that cupping always leaves bruises- while it's normal to have some residual marks, it doesn’t always happen. It depends on the body part, technique, and skin sensitivity. The presence or absence of bruising doesn’t indicate the effectiveness of the treatment.
What We Offer
At Elite Physical Therapy and Performance, we focus on you! Patient experience is the foundation of recovery, function, and quality of life. We combine manual therapy techniques with strategic exercises for strength, mobility, and balance. In addition to cupping, we also provide:
Joint and spinal mobilization
Soft tissue massage
Taping techniques
Dry Needling
We’re here to help you recover and get back to the activities you love. Located in the heart of Coeur d’Alene, we work with a wide range of athletes from all over North Idaho to eliminate pain and dysfunction and prevent future injuries.
Ready to learn more and schedule an evaluation? Call Elite Physical Therapy and Performance in the heart of Coeur d’Alene at (208) 666-6665 today!
