Everything You Need to Know About Cupping Therapy in Troy

Cupping therapy is an ancient practice that has experienced a modern-day resurgence over the last several years as a natural therapy to reduce pain and inflammation. 

With Egyptians and Macedonians pioneering this therapy practice around 5,500 years ago, cup therapy extended to many areas of the world — often carrying a cultural or spiritual significance along with its countless physical benefits. Over the last decade, people in the Western world discovered its ability to help improve sports performance and accelerate the healing process. Whether you've already experienced this type of traditional Eastern therapy or are just curious about what it can do for you, understanding the different methods can help ensure you get the most out of it. 

Read on to learn everything you need to know about cup therapy and where to find the best cup therapy experts in Troy. 

What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. The practice involves placing cups over specific areas of the body to create a gentle suction. This suction facilitates healing with blood flow and can help relieve back pain and inflammation associated with certain health conditions or injuries. It can also help improve blood flow and can be used as a form of deep tissue massage or relaxation technique.

There are also different methods of cup therapy, and each one has its own specific benefits: 

• Dry Cupping: A method where the cup is simply placed on dry skin, and the air within the cup is heated or sucked out, creating a vacuum that holds the cup in place. This is the most common type of cup therapy and is often used for its relaxation and improved circulation benefits.
• Wet Cupping: This type of cup therapy involves making a light incision on the skin after the cup has been applied and removed, allowing a small amount of blood to be drawn out. This type of cup therapy is thought to help draw out toxins from the body and may help with certain health disorders.
• Fire Cupping: This traditional method involves soaking a cotton ball in alcohol and lighting it on fire to heat the air inside the cup. Once the flame is extinguished, the cup is quickly placed on the skin, creating a vacuum as it cools. This method of cup therapy can stimulate the flow of energy in the body & promote overall well-being.
• Massage Cupping: During this type of therapy, cups are moved to different areas of the body to facilitate more localized healing or relaxation. This method of cup therapy combines cup therapy and massage to provide a deeper form of tissue manipulation. 

What are the Benefits of Cupping Therapy? 

The most common question we get asked is, “How can cup therapy help me?” Cupping is an ancient alternative medicine technique that has garnered attention for its ability to help treatment for various health concerns and promote overall well-being. The potential benefits of cup therapy include pain management, better athletic performance, improved blood flow, and faster recovery from physical strain.

Some of the conditions that cup therapy can help with include:

• Muscle tension and pain from overuse or physical strain
• Chronic back aches or pain due to sports injury or arthritis
• Gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s Disease
• Skin conditions like chronic acne, eczema, or psoriasis

Cup therapy should also be performed by a trained and qualified practitioner to maximize its benefits and minimize the risks of burns, bruises, and other skin injuries.

What are the Risks of Cupping Therapy? 

Cupping therapy is non-invasive; therefore, it holds a very low risk of causing any complications. However, there are a few small risks that you should know about: 

• There may be slight bruising in the areas where the cups are placed. This common side effect of cupping usually disappears within a few days.
• Some people note slight muscle tension or soreness following a cup therapy session.
• There is a small risk of sustaining a burn injury if you are getting fire cupping, especially if you go to someone not properly trained in this type of cup therapy. 
• In rare cases, some people may experience dizziness, nausea, or fainting — this is usually more common for people who feel woozy around needles.

Overall, cupping therapy is considered quite safe, and most people find it to be a very relaxing experience. 

What to Expect During a Cupping Session

During a cupping therapy session, cups are placed on specific areas of the skin, creating a gentle suction effect. Depending on the method you get, the cups may be heated to create a vacuum or applied with a pump to draw the skin upwards into the cup. This process can cause a sensation of tightness or pulling on the skin but is usually not painful or uncomfortable. 

The cups are typically left in place for a few minutes, and the number of cups used for a session can vary based on your unique needs and the particular method that is used for you. After the cups are removed, temporary marks may appear on the skin where the suction occurred. These marks may range in color from light pink to dark purple. These marks typically fade within a few days. Overall, you can anticipate a gentle and noninvasive experience aimed at promoting relaxation and therapeutic benefits.

Where to Find the Best Cupping Therapy in Troy, MI

Led by the compassionate, patient-first approach of Taleen Najarian, PT, DPT, the experienced physical therapists at Performance Physical Therapy are committed to reducing pain and improving your overall wellness. With a balanced mixture of Western and Eastern practices, physical therapists bring abundant therapeutic options to the residents of Troy, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, and surrounding areas — including cup therapy.

Whether recovering from an injury, want to improve your athletic performance, want back pain relief, or hope to reduce stress with time-tested relaxation techniques, cupping therapy is highly beneficial to your health regimen. 

Ready to experience the benefits of a cupping therapy appointment with the best cupping experts in Troy?