Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy places silicone cups or pumps on the skin to create suction that lifts the tissue, increases blood flow and eases tightness and pain. Western Slope Rehab and Performance offers cupping physical therapy in Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton and the Redlands.
Myofascial cupping, in plain words
Cupping is an old technique that came to physical therapy because the mechanics are simple. A cup is placed on the skin and air is pumped out of it. That pulls the skin and the fascia, the connective tissue over the muscle, up into the cup.
Researchers describe two main effects. One is pain modulation: the stretch and pressure sensations compete with pain signals, so your brain registers less pain and muscles may relax. The other is increased blood flow to the cupped area. We use cupping on trigger points and tight tissue, and our clinicians say it may also help break up scar tissue adhesion.
Cupping marks and how a session feels
What you feel
A pulling or tight suction under each cup. Your therapist may leave the cups still or move them across the skin, and may ask you to move while they are on.
Why the circles appear
The suction draws blood to the surface, which leaves round, bruise-like marks. They are the hallmark of cupping, not a sign of damage.
How long cupping marks last
They usually fade on their own. In some people they can last up to two weeks. Tell us if you have an event coming up, and we can plan around it.
Cupping for back pain, neck pain and sports recovery
Cupping for back pain and neck pain is where we use it most, along with tight shoulders and the aches that come with training. If you have a back, neck or shoulder problem, or a Sports Injury Rehab, cupping may help ease the tightness so you can move and exercise.
It is one tool among several, not a treatment on its own. It sits beside Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), Manual Therapy and exercise. Our licensed massage therapists also use cupping in their sessions; see Massage Therapy.
Tell us before cupping if you
- take blood thinners
- have fragile skin
- have an active skin condition
If any apply, your therapist will recommend another way to ease the tight tissue.
Looking for cupping near me?
WSRP treats Grand Junction and Grand Valley patients in one clinic. Request a visit and your therapist will decide whether cupping belongs in your plan.
Ask about cupping in Grand Junction
From Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton or the Redlands, call (970) 314-9822. You can start physical therapy without a referral from a doctor in most cases. Some insurance plans, including Medicare, still need a doctor's sign-off on the plan of care. If you are unsure, call us and we will check your plan. See Direct Access.
We see patients from Grand Junction and the surrounding Grand Valley: Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton and the Redlands.