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CUPPING THERAPY KITCHENER

A unique therapy that stimulates muscles
leading to reduced pain.

What Is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy is a technique that involves applying a glass, plastic, or silicone cup to your skin and creating a vacuum inside using heat, a squeezable bulb, or a suction gun.

The cupping therapy most commonly used by healthcare practitioners in Canada is called dry cupping. A glass, plastic, or silicone cup is placed on your skin where the air within the cup is removed, causing a vacuum effect. Dry cupping is a safe and beneficial technique.

Dry cupping is often used to treat headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, arthritis, sports injuries, and more. Studies show people with neck and shoulder pain have experienced a 61% decrease in pain after receiving dry cupping therapy.

There are other types of cupping like wet cupping, which involves creating small cuts in the skin, and fire cupping, which uses fire to heat the suction cup to create a vacuum. Wet cupping and fire cupping are techniques that are not common practice at physiotherapy clinics and can be unsafe if performed incorrectly. Therefore, these types of cupping are not performed at Strive Physiotherapy & Performance.

How Does Cupping Therapy Work In Kitchener?

Cupping therapy works on the principle of suction. A silicone cup can be used on the skin which creates a vacuum effect, increasing blood flow to the affected area. Cupping therapy helps increase blood flow to the treated areas, promoting healing. It can also provide pain relief by exciting the nerves and muscles leading to decreased pain.

Where Does Cupping Therapy Come From?

Cupping therapy’s true origin is unknown. It has been used by many cultures and was used by American doctors in the late 1800s. In Chinese medicine, cupping therapy is called “shiatsu” or “shi-a-tso.” This word means to squeeze, press, or massage a certain area of your body with the thumb and forefinger.

​Cupping at Strive

​At Strive Physiotherapy & Performance all practitioners are trained and experienced in adding cupping therapy to your personalized treatment plan, as appropriate.

What Can You Expect During A Myofascial Cupping Session?

Our therapist will first take a detailed health history to identify any health issues that could affect the cupping therapy. After discussing the cupping process, you will be asked to sit or lie down comfortably during treatment. Your therapist will use massage lotion on the target area first, before applying the cup to your skin. The cup may be moved around your body as needed.

What Are the Benefits of Cupping?

There are many benefits of cupping treatments. Some of these include:

  • Reduction of pain
  • Breaking up scar tissue and fatty deposits
  • Cure chronic health conditions
  • Improved blood circulation and lymphatic flow
  • Relief of muscle spasms
  • Increased energy levels
  • Improve joint range of motion
  • Accelerated healing
  • Stress Relief and deep relaxation
  • Targets the deeper tissues similar to a deep tissue massage
  • Removes fascial restrictions

What Conditions Can Be Treated With Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including:

  • Arthritis pain
  • Acute Pain issues
  • Fluid Buildup
  • Back Pain
  • Bruises
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Chronic Pain conditions
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headaches
  • Injuries
  • Muscle Spasm
  • Chronic Neck Pain
  • Nerve Damage
  • Pregnancy
  • Postural Imbalance
  • Neural Tissues Problems
  • Sciatica
  • Soft Tissue Problems
  • Sports Injury
  • Connective Tissue Problems
  • Muscle Tension
  • Facial Paralysis
  • Spinal Cord Issues
  • Tight Muscles
  • Other Types of Muscle Aches
  • Cervical Spondylosis
  • Scar Tissue Adhesions
  • Tendonitis/Tenosynovitis
  • Hand & Wrist Problems
  • Joint pain or Knee pain
  • and more!
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silicone cups for cupping therapy

Why Choose Strive Physiotherapy & Performance for Your Cupping Therapy?

We are dedicated to providing you with the best cupping therapy treatment available. Our massage therapists are highly trained professionals who use only the finest quality equipment. They will work closely with you to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your treatments.

FAQs on Cupping Therapy

Individuals with blood disorders, blood clotting issues, or skin conditions (like eczema and psoriasis) shouldn’t opt for cupping massage therapy.

If you have any health conditions, we recommend discussing your options with us before booking your cupping massage.

By creating suction using negative pressure, it can improve hydration and circulation to the skin, loosen-up adhesions, remove excess fluid, and break down scar tissue.

After the cupping massage therapy appointment, you should feel relaxed, refreshed, and ready for the next step. Your skin may have red cupping marks, but these usually disappear within 24 hours, and some patients experience bruising as well. The best way to prevent them is to drink plenty of water during the procedure.