Chinese Cupping Therapy – Helpful or Harmful?

Myofascial Decompression for Pain & Sports Performance

The latest summer Olympics in Rio brought about much excitement to audiences all over the world, most notable of whom is our own Michael Phelps as being the most decorated Gold Medal winning Olympian ever…With that he brings much visibility to unclothed upper torso, where scattered dark circles surfaced on the skin of his shoulders as he prepared to swim his way to Gold Medal status over and over again. After Phelps’ winning appearance, debate and claims began to pour across the media, through the physical therapy arena and wide world of sports, on whether or not this ancient Asian method of treatment has any merit on athleticism.

So what is “cupping” therapy? It is a traditional/holistic form of Chinese or complementary/alternative medical treatment (TCM or CAM) designed to enhance human health. It is used as a conservative method of soft tissue healing in place of medicinal pills/prescribed drugs for pain management and musculoskeletal recovery. This non-medical mode to treat painful symptoms started in China 2000 years ago. The Eastern culture believes that pain is caused by a disorder/diseased state-lack of or interruption of energy flow via bodily channels, plus slowing circulation through vessels, resulting in blood build-up or blockage in organs and other body parts. This noninvasive modality to heal has also been utilized in Northern Europe (Scandinavia) as well.

How does “cupping” work? These cups are fabricated from various materials such as glass, bamboo, or clay. They are applied to the body surface at certain acupuncture points, usually on the back, chest, abdomen, and buttock; but may be placed elsewhere dependent on specific individual needs. Some of the air is first taken out of the cups by heat or other means of suction to create a partial vacuum. Application to the skin is then maintained for 5-10 minutes, which provides a sucking effect/pressure gradient, causing swelling (edema), erythema (redness), and ecchymosis (bruising), that will fade away within a couple to few weeks. Upon comparison of cupping to massage-rather than the application of force to the tight/inflamed area manually or by a solid, tubular object, the opposite is performed i.e. creation of negative pressure via a hollow container instead. The newly applied stimulus aims to change sensory loading/pain perception, along with positively influencing the surrounding vascular environment.

Seven different techniques of cupping exist in China. The most popular practiced type is dry cupping, within which a heated fire flame is used to obtain suction. Other more commonly utilized methods are: wet cupping where blood-letting is done on the point of tenderness prior to suction; moving cupping-move each the cup in different directions; flash cupping-quickly remove the cups after suction. All cupping procedures are intended for increasing blood flow by dilating vessels, which in turn deliver more oxygen and chemical mediators to enhance metabolism/promote waste product removal in affected tissues. In effect, the end result of cupping is to accelerate microcirculation, desensitize painful stimuli, and relieve muscle spasms.

Just with any type of physical treatment to the body, one must be careful of associated adverse effects from cupping. After application of suction cups, normal reaction is visible reddening/swelling of the skin, which should abate within a few days. Depending on the intensity and/or frequency of cupping, bruises can last longer and in severe cases, skin burns can occur. In rare instances, increased local soreness or tingling may also result. Additionally, please remember that pain is meant to be protective to our bodies so we shouldn’t be seeking ways to mask it, otherwise we could injure ourselves further and not know it…Scientific studies do show some benefits of cupping for short term pain management in reducing intensity as compared to more conventional treatments, but it’s not a cure all method.

In summary, cupping is a powerful tool for those who have sustained musculoskeletal injuries and are unable to train due to pain and stiffness. It is as effective as dry needling or other manual based physiotherapy targeted at neuromuscular control to modulate painful symptoms by altering pain perception, muscular recruitment and soft tissue recovery. In other words, the injured athlete can then better react to sensory feedback and in turn regain joint motion/limb balance/muscle contraction. Just be careful not to do it too much, too hard, or too often, since the body could become desensitized to pain then you can’t/won’t stop prior to sustaining trauma. Not all of us can become an ultimate Olympian like Phelps, but perhaps you can seek out this alternative route to manage your aches and pains, as long as you don’t get overzealous and beware of potential side effects. This way, you can minimize symptoms, maximize healing and compete at your best level possible!

#cuppingtherapy #MimiZumwalt #trainingsportsperformance