Cupping therapy is an ancient form of Chinese alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. There are different types of cupping treatments depending on the goals of the session.  Our therapists can choose whether to leave the cups on the tissue or move the cups dynamically along the tissue to loosen up and massage the muscles.  Cupping is a wonderful treatment option for tight muscles.   Cupping works so well on muscles because it draws up the muscle and also the fascia which is the covering over the muscle.

Cupping has several benefits, one of which is creating a significant increase in blood flow to the involved tissue, loosening the fascia, and decreasing overall tightness.  The cups also help to lengthen the muscles and stretch the fascia over the muscle.  

Dr John uses both static (keeping the cups in place) and dynamic cupping (moving the cups across the muscles) techniques.  Both techniques have some nice benefits.  The dynamic approach helps to release the fascia and decrease muscle tightness.  After a cupping session, you often will notice that your muscles are less tight and you have more mobility.  We recommend 4-6 sessions of cupping to see the best results.  You may notice some skin irritation or red rings around the cupping area. This will usually resolve within a few days. The redness is simply due to the increased blood flow being drawn to the area.

• Cupping is great for tight shoulders, tight neck, neck pain, back pain, plantar fasciitis, hip pain, whiplash, and much more.

• Cupping is really effective for Iliotibial Band Syndrome as well as Piriformis Syndrome.

• If you have headaches due to neck tension and stress this is a relaxing approach.

• Plantar Fasciitis and heel pain are often relieved with cupping due to its ability to loosen up the legs, calves, and the plantar fascia.