07/03/2025
Myofascial cupping
is a soft tissue therapy that involves the application of decompressed cups on the skin, creating a vacuum effect that lifts up underlying tissues such as the fascia ( connective tissue ) and muscles, blood and other fluid, close to the surface of the skin. Myofascial cupping is typically applied on back, shoulder, neck, sacrum, hip, abdomen, legs and arms.
Most manual techniques are based on compression of the muscles and other tissues, such as deep tissues techniques, soft tissue mobilisation and joint mobilisation techniques, whereas myofascial cupping works by creating suction of the cup to produce negative pressure or tensile stress that causes dilatation and capillary rupture; this is what creates the reddish-coloured circles called ecchymosis or bruising, and the lasting effect of this is what is typically seen to be therapeutically beneficial. Cupping works by stimulating inhibitory neural pathways, altering pain thresholds, promoting blood circulation, relieving swelling and increasing tissue temperature. The myofascial cupping technique reduces discomfort in the target tissues and has been shown in multiple scientific research studies that it has good effect in relieving chronic pain and consequently improving a patients quality of life.
Myofascial cupping also has an effect on the lymphatic system. The cups are said to help draw toxins out of the muscle fibres and to increase blood flow toward the region by reducing tension, pain and tenderness to the affected muscle. Range of movement and mobility are improved by directly reducing any fascial adhesions, increasing the tissue temperature and the decreasing the viscosity of the tissues.
Cupping has been used for centuries among both Eastern and Western-based health care practitioners; however, cupping therapy is reemerging as a popular modality for chronic nonspecific neck pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, knee osteoarthritis, and to increase pressure-pain thresholds and to potentially enhance athletic performance in athletes.
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