Cupping Therapy and Myofascial Decompression

Seen often at the Olympics, Cupping Therapy is good at relieving muscle pain and tension in the local area. By lighting a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol and quickly inserting the flame into the cup, we create a suction that pulls up on the skin, as well as the underlying tissue. This causes a rush of blood and lymph to pool in the local area causing a slight swelling of the skin. The principle is similar but opposite to that of a general massage. We're increasing blood flow and lymphatic flow in the local area to create a healing effect on the body. This in turn helps with decreasing muscle fatigue and pain especially low back pain and shoulder pain. Patients often enjoy cupping therapy because they feel extremely relaxed after the treatment. 

Here are the top 4 conditions that can be effectively treated with cupping therapy or myofascial decompression, along with relevant studies supporting their efficacy:

  1. Low Back Pain

    • Study: A systematic review and meta-analysis found that cupping therapy significantly reduces pain in patients with chronic low back pain. The analysis, which reviewed multiple studies, highlighted the potential benefits of cupping as a non-pharmacological intervention for pain relief.

    • Reference: Wang et al., Frontiers in Neurology, 2023.

  2. Neck Pain

    • Study: Cupping therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing neck pain and improving range of motion. A study indicated that cupping could be a beneficial treatment for chronic neck pain, providing pain relief and enhancing physical function.

    • Reference: Evidence Map of Cupping Therapy, MDPI, 2021.

  3. Knee Osteoarthritis

    • Study: Research has demonstrated that cupping therapy can alleviate pain and improve physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The evidence suggests that cupping is a viable complementary treatment for managing osteoarthritis symptoms.

    • Reference: Zhao et al., Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2019.

  4. Migraine

    • Study: Cupping therapy has been found to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. Studies have shown that cupping can be an effective alternative or complementary treatment for migraine management.

    • Reference: Farhadi et al., Medicine (Baltimore), 2016.