Myofascial Release With Cupping Therapy
Michael Phelps put cupping in the front of social medias eye. Those purple marks…everyone wanted to know what they were.
Myofascial release is based on changes in tissue textures from Myofascial release techniques. Holding tissue with sustained pressure to eliminate pain and provide a better range of motion is the base for myofascial release modality. Tensile pressure when given in to myofascial relief techniques allows the fascia to elongate and become more elastic.
Cupping is an ancient modality considered folk medicine by some. It has been documented to have been used in Egypt, Greece, Rome, Russia and China. In association with Acupuncture or Acupressure cupping is very effective. When a cup is placed on the skin the cup sucks up the tissue and separates it from underlying fascia. When reviewing the study of Chinese medicine, if there is stagnation using the cups and sliding them it breaks up that stagnation. The type of cupping showed below is fire, or dry cupping.
Some bruising or skin reactions are normal as well as smells when fire cupping is done. Moving fascia in a few layers at a time creates many opportunities for the body to realize that healing is needed in any given area. Facial cups use a light bulb suction and are used in areas that require more finesse. My hypothesis is that using cups especially facial cups on areas like the arm and using it for Myofascial release for carpal tunnel is beneficial. While working on a fellow student on a TMJ issue with facial cups immediate relief was had as well as diagnostic for her regarding pinpointing specific area of trigger point therapy that she did on herself. Once the fascia was relaxed with cups the underlying trigger was made known and remedied.
In an abstract done in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, a study was done that reflects the use of Myofascial therapy for Carpal Tunnel. Study participants received Myofascial release for carpal tunnel syndrome. After treatments, the study subjects had distinct positive changes in MRI & nerve conduction studies. The Study attributed these changes in condition to having Myofascial release done. The control group did not have the release techniques and they reported no changes in any tests over the same duration of time.
A study done that evaluated knee pain and cupping therapy showed that even 3 weeks out study participants felt better range of motion and overall pain relief. The type of cupping was “wet” cupping which uses a scalpel to release stagnant blood from the area. The study did not reflect any imaging or tests, but relied solely on the input from the Study participants.
After viewing a few studies as well as personal experience in myofascial and cupping modalities I have deduced that cupping as a myofascial release is of great healing value.
Research Log
Google:
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The New York Times (for pictures)
Pub Med:
J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2016 Jan;20(1):173-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.11.009. Epub 2015 Dec 1.
New is the well-forgotten old: The use of dry cupping in musculoskeletal medicine.