Functional Cupping in Physiotherapy:
Improves Mobility and Enhances Recovery
Understanding What Cupping Therapy is?
C upping Therapy is one of the ancient and most effective methods used to treat different conditions by improving circulation, removing toxin materials from the body and hence improves mobility.It is the form of a chinese medicine.
It directly works on the fascia and therefore relaxes the fascia and helps in improving mobility and hence helps in enhancing recovery.
Cupping Therapy is also known as Hijama cupping, vacuum cupping Therapy etc.In this , the therapist places special cups made of different material eg- glass, plastic, bamboo, silicone etc on the patient’s skin to create suction. This will lead to the skin beneath the cup to uplift and swell causing an increase in blood flow to the affected area . This increased blood flow removes the impurities and toxins away from the affected area.
There are different types of Cupping Therapy that is used to treat different conditions:
- Dry Cupping
- Wet Cupping
- Dynamic Cupping
- Functional cupping
Functional Cupping?
Functional Cupping is the unique combination of traditional Cupping therapy and modern therapeutic approach. It is also known as movement based cupping.
Functional cupping combines the cupping technique with the active movement excercise. It works by applying cups in the affected area and in combination of this the active movement or functional movement is done to decrease the restrictions and stiffness. The goal is to decrease the pain and restore the movement by decreasing the stiffness and restrictions in that particular area. It helps in increasing the range of motion and mobility.
Largely this technique is useful for improving the restriction of fascia, dysfunction in the facial line or connective tissues that surround our muscles. Connective tissues require an appropriate amount of force for an appropriate period of time to get relaxed or released. So, the cups that are used in functional cupping give the appropriate suction force to relax these tissues and open up the restrictions.
How Functional Cupping Therapy Enhances Mobility and Recovery -
- Reducing pain
- Opening up the fascial restrictions
- Increasing Blood flow and circulation
- Breaking down adhesions and scar tissues
- Neuromuscular Re -education
Benefits of Functional Cupping
1 .Helps in restoring healthy and functional movement
2.Reduces area of restriction and associated pain
3.Improves Quality of life
4.Removes toxins and waste material from the body
5.Helps in providing input to the nervous system
6.Improve motor pathway recruitment to facilitate tissue release and improve overall movement and function
7.Helps in enhancing the recovery after the injury
8.Helps in Reducing the inflammation
Conditions Treated With Functional Cupping:
1. Chronic Pain Conditions: Conditions like- back pain , neck pain , shoulder joint pain , knee pain , elbow pain.
2. Sports injuries: Athletes often suffer from overuse injuries, strains , sprains , tendinopathies etc . which restrict their performance. Functional cupping helps to improve recovery, speed up the performance etc.
3. Post – surgical recovery : Post operative stiffness and scar tissue formation restricts the range of motion and therefore hampers the quality of life. Functional cupping helps in breaking off those scar formation and restrictions and hence improves the restricted range of motion.
4. Musculoskeletal disorders : Conditions like frozen shoulder, plantar fasciitis, trigger points , muscle taut bands, tendinopathies can restrict joint range of motion and muscle function. Functional cupping helps in improving muscle functions and opening up the adhesions.
Conditions like frozen shoulder, plantar fasciitis, trigger points , muscle taut bands, tendinopathies can restrict joint range of motion and muscle function. Functional cupping helps in improving muscle functions and opening up the adhesions.
Functional Cupping Technique in Physiotherapy:
1. Dynamic Movement with Cupping : This technique is also known as movement cupping. In this , the patients do the active movements like – arm raises, leg raises, shoulder flexion , knee extension etc. with the cups placed on the affected area. This technique is used to increase the joint range of motion, muscle function.
2. Gliding Cupping : This technique is basically used for improving the circulation, opening up the adhesions, and improving the fascial dynamics. In this , the therapist glides the cup on the fascia of the muscle maintaining its suction throughout the movement.
3. Proprioceptive Training with Cupping : This technique is used for improving or enhancing the stability and mobility of the joint. In this , Cupping therapy is combined with the balancing or proprioceptive exercise to improve their skills, balance , control and stability during their performance.
4. Active-Assisted Mobilization : This technique is used to improve flexibility and release the tight areas. In this, Cupping is combined with the assisted stretching or mobilization techniques to open up the area and relax the tight structures.
