What is cupping therapy and how can it support your recovery?

Cupping therapy, also known as myofascial decompression, is an ancient healing technique that has become increasingly popular in modern rehabilitation settings. You may have seen the telltale circular marks on Olympic athletes or professional sports figures—these marks are the result of cupping, which uses controlled suction to lift soft tissues and enhance mobility.

At CAO Sports Performance & Physical Therapy, our licensed therapists use cupping therapy as a targeted intervention to relieve muscle tightness, improve range of motion, and promote tissue healing. It is especially effective in treating musculoskeletal pain and mobility restrictions in the shoulders, arms, hands, and other upper body regions.

How does cupping therapy work?

Cupping involves the placement of specialized round cups directly on the skin. A therapist uses a manual or rubber pump to create a vacuum inside the cup, gently drawing the skin and underlying tissues upward. This negative pressure—also referred to as decompression—helps lift and separate the tissue layers, allowing for improved blood flow, lymphatic drainage, and connective tissue mobility.

Cups may remain stationary for several minutes or be moved (glided) across an area of restricted tissue. In some cases, cupping is performed while the patient engages in light movement or exercise, further enhancing its effects on neuromuscular mobility and tissue glide.

Cupping differs from other hands-on therapy techniques, such as massage or myofascial release, which use compressive forces. Instead, cupping uses decompression to create space between layers of skin, fascia, muscle, and tendon. This is particularly helpful in regions where scar tissue, inflammation, or chronic tension has caused tissues to adhere or become less mobile—common concerns following upper extremity injuries or surgery.

What are the therapeutic benefits of cupping therapy?

Cupping therapy offers a range of clinically supported benefits that make it a valuable part of physical and occupational therapy care. These benefits include:

• Reduction in muscle tension and trigger point pain
• Improved local circulation and tissue hydration
• Enhanced lymphatic drainage and fluid movement
• Increased range of motion and flexibility
• Relief from nerve entrapments and soft tissue adhesions
• Improved scar tissue mobility
• Decreased inflammation and pain sensitivity

Some patients experience meaningful pain relief after just one session, especially those dealing with chronic soft tissue conditions.

What conditions can cupping therapy help treat?

Cupping is a versatile technique and can be adapted for a wide range of clinical conditions, including:

• Overuse injuries in the hand, wrist, or elbow
• Chronic neck or back pain
• Post-surgical stiffness and scar tissue adhesions
• Tendinopathies (e.g., tennis elbow, De Quervain’s)
• Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome
• Rotator cuff dysfunction or impingement
• Soft tissue inflammation and limited joint mobility
• Postural imbalances affecting upper extremity movement

Cupping can also serve as a method of soft tissue mobilization or relaxation in patients undergoing more intensive rehabilitation, and it may be used to complement other manual therapy interventions.

What can you expect during a cupping session?

During your cupping therapy session, your therapist will apply one or more cups to the affected area of your body—typically on your back, shoulder, arm, or hand. Depending on the clinical goal, cups may remain static or be glided across the skin using oil or lotion. Some sessions may incorporate active movement to increase tissue mobility during treatment.

While cupping may leave temporary circular marks on the skin due to the suction, these marks are not bruises in the traditional sense and typically fade within a few days. Most patients report the sensation of cupping as relaxing or mildly stimulating

Schedule a consultation

If you are dealing with soft tissue pain, restricted mobility, or recovering from an upper extremity injury, cupping therapy may help accelerate your progress and reduce discomfort. The team of experienced physical and occupational therapists at CAO Sports Performance & Physical Therapy is highly trained in the clinical application of cupping for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.

Schedule a physical therapy or occupational therapy appointment at one of our locations in California, Leonardtown, or Waldorf, Maryland. We proudly serve patients throughout Southern Maryland, including Lusby, St. Leonard, and Hollywood, offering advanced care that supports optimal recovery and function.