The benefits of cupping have been incredible for me. It’s the only treatment that gave me immediate, massive improvement in my range of motion and decreased my pain. Now more than seven months into my ankle sprain recovery, my fairly traditional, Western medicine-based physical therapist uses cupping at least every two weeks.

What Is Cupping?

Cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese practice that has been used for thousands of years. Traditionally, jars or cups were rapidly filled with hot air and placed on the skin. As the air cooled, it created suction.

While you can get the traditional form of cupping, my physical therapist uses cups with a valve and a small hand pump so he can control the pressure and move the cups around as needed. No heat necessary. Here’s a great diagram of the cups and how they are used.

Benefits of Cupping

It’s not just me who has felt the benefits. Research shows that cupping can reduce pain and improve range of motion. It may also speed recovery and improve healing by increasing blood flow and reducing swelling.

Cupping has been shown to improve chronic neck, shoulder, and low back pain. It may even decrease cellulite (whew, so glad to be heading off the ankle cellulite before it develops).

From Chinese weightlifters to Olympic U.S. swimmers to Major League Baseball pitchers, professional athletes are using the therapy to help them recover and heal injuries. Apparently it’s now all the rage with celebrities (nothing makes me want to stop doing it more than that little fact).

What Does It Feel Like?

The first time I ever had cupping I thought my skin was going to explode. I was imagining having to explain to the emergency room why I had a huge hole in my skin and what the muscle must look like underneath. Needless to say, this didn’t calm me very much.

Now it’s just any other day. It doesn’t bother me at all. I have complete trust that I won’t be turned into Swiss cheese. I’ve had the sensitive skin around my ankle cupped as well as the nerve-centered bottom of my feet (that one was less pleasant, especially when my PT started moving them to break up scar tissue and tissue adhesions without reducing any of the suction).

Once you get used to the tugging, it is easily tolerable. It feels a bit like when you put the vacuum tube on your hand – only it’s a bit more intense.

Why Are You Polka Dotted?

While it looks like you have been attacked by a massive octopus for a few days after, the bruises slowly fade as they heal. I use arnica gel twice a day after cupping, and my bruises are completely gone in less than a week. I have rocked the massive bruises to a wedding before, but no one seemed to notice (or were at least nice enough not to ask me).

Should You Try It?

If you have a lot of tightness or scar tissue, it might be a great thing to try. Be sure to go to a qualified practitioner. I highly recommend going to a physical therapist or someone else who really knows the body’s structure well and the tissues that may be at play with your injury. This isn’t a comfortable treatment, and having complete trust and confidence in the person performing your cupping is absolutely necessary.

Cupping has been a game-changer in my ankle recovery. I’m so glad I stuck it out through the first, slightly unnerving, session.