Is cupping therapy legit?

[Fug]

Does this actually help with recovery? I tried acupuncture once and felt like it did nothing. Cold therapy, stretching, and massage have always worked for me but I'm open to trying new stuff.

 

[period]

Yes. We had a Dagestani wrestling coach who offered it to us for free. We were all sceptics at first, but then one wrestler after the other tried it. Most were surprised, because they felt relief even from chronic pains. I only tried it once for a tweaked shoulder, where it didn't do anything for me; however, the problem there may have been that the cup wouldn't stick on me where it was supposed to go (right on the top edge, and I'm an bony guy).

 

[Devil's_Advocate]

I have used it since I was a small child in USSR. I still use it now.

I use it when I have colds/flus.

I also use it for muscular pain.

I prefer fire cupping however you can also get suction cups.

If you're very hairy you'll need to shave the areas where you plan to apply it. I've had to do it since I am quite hairy in some areas.

In my experience it's quite helpful for all sorts of back pain issues. I have also applied it to my shoulders.

I don't believe in the whole chi or whatever else.

It may improve circulation (micro circulation) with negative pressure, sinus draining, and stretches fascia and subcutaneous tissues,

Negative pressure causes local oxygen deficit which leads to vasodilation which results in relaxed sensation.

Cupping stimulates mechanoreceptors in the skin, which can reduce pain perception via the gate control theory (non-painful input blocks pain signals), trigger descending inhibitory pain pathways, and cause endorphin release which ultimately can feel like “deep relaxation” and pain relief many people report.

Separately mechanical stress can change cytokine profiles locally, reduce muscular tension,increase lymphatic drainage, and reduce the buildup of inflammatory metabolites.

I used to believe part of the benefits were due to replacing of the plasma but it appears the loss is so small from the capillaries being damaged that it's insignificant part of the healing process. Essentially your body gets rid of the cupping marks no different than it would from light bruises or hickeys.

There's a small risk of getting blisters but it's rare and only if you overheat the cups. It has happened to me when I had to insert the flame multiple times.

Here's a summary from LLM from all the various compounds and factors that are released to help heal after cupping:

"Here’s a concise list:

Vascular/Inflammatory

Nitric oxide (NO)

Histamine

Prostaglandins (PGE₂, PGI₂)

Bradykinin


Immune/Cytokine

IL-1β

IL-6 (early, pro-inflammatory)

IL-10 (late, anti-inflammatory)

TNF-α (early burst)


Regenerative/Growth Factors

VEGF

TGF-β

PDGF

IGF-1 (minor but present)

HO-1 (heme oxygenase pathways)


Neurochemical

Endorphins / enkephalins

Serotonin (from platelets)

Reduced substance P (later phase)
In moderation, this controlled cascade can lead to:

increased microcirculation

reduced nociception

relaxed fascia and muscle

anti-inflammatory rebound

improved perception of breathing (if done on upper back)

parasympathetic activation


This is why cupping can feel relieving even though it’s technically a “micro-injury.”

 

[godhatesacoward]

Does this actually help with recovery? I tried acupuncture once and felt like it did nothing. Cold therapy, stretching, and massage have always worked for me but I'm open to trying new stuff.

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That joshua image sets off that hate of little holes I got man

 

[RichardHarrow]

My brother practices cupping therapy and it is a heavy part of Islamic medicine. What do you expect from it?

 

[Fug]

My brother practices cupping therapy and it is a heavy part of Islamic medicine. What do you expect from it?

I'd hope for enhanced recovery leading to improved athletic performance.

 

[RichardHarrow]

I'd hope for enhanced recovery leading to improved athletic performance.

The benefits of dry cupping is minimal compared to wet cupping. Is wet cupping legal where you are? Do you have access to it?

Long story short a lot of what @DEVILsSON is true. It's a good form of lymphatic drainage. However, it's very selective as to which muscle pains it can treat. In Islam once a year is more than sufficient if you're healthy. If you're interested in it for muscular therapy then the ice baths, stretching and massages is the way to go. I would try it once for the experience.

 

[Xoleth]

"Cupping therapy is a pseudoscientific treatment method in which a local suction is created on the skin by using heated cups. There is no conclusive evidence supporting the claimed health benefits of cupping"

From wiki

I never tried it, I've sen some people at my gym with those marks on their skin.

I use a needle mat. Bivol said he uses one and they are good, so I bought one. Seems OKish... temporary relief.

 

[maximus__]

Does this actually help with recovery? I tried acupuncture once and felt like it did nothing. Cold therapy, stretching, and massage have always worked for me but I'm open to trying new stuff.

View attachment 1123692

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A couple of times recently I have had it done by Osteo and massage therapists.
I find general massage works better and they usually use it to save their hands a bit.

They always take about it breaking up adhesions in the fascia and kind of like the opposite of foam rolling.
I rather the hands on therapy personally because the brusing can be a bit annoying.

 

[Phlog]

I've never had it done, I don't believe in anecdotal evidence being useful. I haven't seen good evidence of it being useful.

It leaves a mark, I can see why it would be a particularly effective placebo.

 

[Long Dark Blues]

I don't know about actual cupping.

But when I put the TENs unit on the "cupping" setting it feels real good on my traps.

 

[godhatesacoward]

I have used it since I was a small child in USSR. I still use it now.

I use it when I have colds/flus.

I also use it for muscular pain.

I prefer fire cupping however you can also get suction cups.

If you're very hairy you'll need to shave the areas where you plan to apply it. I've had to do it since I am quite hairy in some areas.

In my experience it's quite helpful for all sorts of back pain issues. I have also applied it to my shoulders.

I don't believe in the whole chi or whatever else.

It may improve circulation (micro circulation) with negative pressure, sinus draining, and stretches fascia and subcutaneous tissues,

Negative pressure causes local oxygen deficit which leads to vasodilation which results in relaxed sensation.

Cupping stimulates mechanoreceptors in the skin, which can reduce pain perception via the gate control theory (non-painful input blocks pain signals), trigger descending inhibitory pain pathways, and cause endorphin release which ultimately can feel like “deep relaxation” and pain relief many people report.

Separately mechanical stress can change cytokine profiles locally, reduce muscular tension,increase lymphatic drainage, and reduce the buildup of inflammatory metabolites.

I used to believe part of the benefits were due to replacing of the plasma but it appears the loss is so small from the capillaries being damaged that it's insignificant part of the healing process. Essentially your body gets rid of the cupping marks no different than it would from light bruises or hickeys.

There's a small risk of getting blisters but it's rare and only if you overheat the cups. It has happened to me when I had to insert the flame multiple times.

Here's a summary from LLM from all the various compounds and factors that are released to help heal after cupping:

You were born in the fucking USSR?

 

[Devil's_Advocate]

You were born in the fucking USSR?

Yep CCCP.

 

[HoiceNJuicy]

I can say in all honesty that I feel better when my wife cups deez nuts!