We’re sure you have seen cupping everywhere (Michael Phelps really did us a solid with that too), but what is it exactly?
Cupping has been used as a form of therapy for thousands of years and the science and therapeutic use continues to be used today.
As the trend grows, more and more people are curious about this ancient practice.
WHAT IS CUPPING?
Cupping is when a therapist puts cups and creates suction on your skin.
These cups are typically made out of glass or silicone and can be used wet or dry.
WHAT DOES CUPPING ACTUALLY DO?
Essentially, the cups draw fluid towards the surface of your skin causing some discolouration because of broken vessels. Drawing blood flow towards the muscles promotes healing and recovery which is helpful for recovery and various types of injuries.
BENEFITS OF CUPPING
- Safe, non-invasive form of therapy
- increases blood circulation
- can help reduce appearance of scarring
- helps increase proprioception (awareness of one own’s body)
As a bonus, cupping is generally a very safe form of treatment! But it’s always important to talk to your physiotherapist about your previous health history prior undergoing treatment.
So overall, we are a big fan of cupping! It can be an effective tool when it comes to treating pain and many types of injuries.
