Cupping Therapy in Ellisville, Missouri: Ancient Healing for Modern Recovery
- Dr. David Didlake, DPT
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
What Is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping is an ancient healing technique that has been used in Egypt, Greece, China, and Islamic medicine for thousands of years. Here in Ellisville, Missouri, cupping is a powerful tool we use for both athletic recovery and rehabilitation.
Perhaps the most notable individual to promote cupping was Michael Phelps during the 2016 Olympics. The circular marks on his shoulders and back were broadcast around the world, clear indications of his approval of this ancient practice. Phelps credited cupping as part of his recovery regimen that reduced soreness while improving his performance. It's certainly hard to argue against the use of cupping—he won five gold medals that year!
How Does Cupping Therapy Work?
Cupping therapy works by creating suction on the skin using specially designed therapeutic cups. The suction pulls the skin and underlying tissues upward, which increases blood flow to the targeted area. As a result of the negative pressure, small blood vessels may break, resulting in the characteristic circular marks or bruises often seen after treatment. This process stimulates the body's natural healing mechanisms by creating a mild inflammatory response, which brings nutrient-rich blood and immune cells to the area for repair.
Cupping Therapy Benefits: What the Research Shows
When used by skilled clinicians, cupping can provide a variety of health benefits and is a powerful tool for reducing pain, releasing myofascial restrictions, and improving tissue mobility. The following studies support the use of cupping therapy:
Relief from Neck and Back Pain
A 2018 systematic review published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that cupping may be effective for neck and low back pain compared to no treatment or active controls (AlBedah et al. 2018).
Improved Range of Motion
A 2024 study in The Sport Journal compared cupping to passive stretching of the shoulder, and showed that both improved internal and external range of motion (Warken et al. 2024).
Enhanced Movement and Faster Recovery
A 2018 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that collegiate athletes receiving cupping experienced improved perceived pain, movement, and recovery compared to control groups (Lauche et al. 2018).
Management of Chronic Pain
2016 research published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests potential benefits for fibromyalgia symptoms (Lauche et al. 2016).
What to Expect During Your Cupping Session
Typically, cupping therapy is used in conjunction with other treatment modalities as part of a comprehensive and holistic approach to restoring musculoskeletal health. Therefore, a treatment session might include use of a Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) mat, Near Infrared (NIR) light therapy, cupping, tempering, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Massage (IASTM), stretching, exercise, and Electric Dry Needling (EDN), along with recommendations and guidance regarding hydration, supplement usage, sleep hygiene, and diet modification.
Cupping therapy can be performed in a variety of ways (statically, where it remains in place, or dynamically, where it, a body part, or both are moved) depending on the underlying condition being treated. Most patients report slight discomfort when the cup draws the underlying skin upward, followed by a feeling of relief and improved movement after treatment. After years of integrating cupping therapy into my practice, I've refined my technique to achieve maximal benefits with minimal bruising, so most patients experience little to no long-term soreness following their session.
Types of Cupping: What We Use and Why
Not all cupping therapy is created equal. Some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners and chiropractors use fire cupping and wet cupping for their patients. While these methods may provide some of the same benefits as dry cupping, in my opinion, the inherent risks of fire and wet cupping outweigh their benefits.
I use two types of cups in my practice: glass and silicone. The glass cups provide greater suction force and should be used under the guidance of a qualified clinician, while the silicone cups provide gentle suction and can be a great option for at-home use between professional sessions.
Ready to try cupping at home? Purchase our comprehensive at-home cupping guide here to safely extend your recovery routine beyond the clinic.
Treatment Duration and Frequency
Session Duration
Cups are typically left in place for 5 to 15 minutes per session, depending on the treatment goals and the area being treated.
Recommended Frequency
General wellness or post-workout recovery: Typically once a week, usually after strenuous activity
Mild conditions: Once or twice a week is common
Chronic issues (e.g., chronic pain, muscular tightness): Start with 2–3 sessions per week, then gradually reduce as symptoms improve
Experience Professional Cupping Therapy in Ellisville
While cupping therapy may be an ancient practice, it is an effective tool I use daily in my clinical practice. I have found that cupping helps reduce pain, improve mobility, and because it increases local blood flow, it has the potential to improve healing and remove unwanted cellular debris. Cupping integrates seamlessly with other physical therapy modalities and can be an effective at-home treatment option.
Whether you're an athlete looking to enhance recovery, dealing with chronic pain, or seeking improved mobility, cupping therapy may be the solution you've been searching for.
Ready to Get Started?
📞 Schedule your cupping therapy consultation today and discover how this ancient technique can help you achieve your health and wellness goals. Our Ellisville clinic combines expert hands-on treatment with personalized guidance to get you feeling your best.
🏠 Prefer to start at home? Get our professional at-home cupping guide and learn safe, effective techniques you can use between clinic visits to maintain your progress.
Contact us today to learn more about how cupping therapy can be integrated into your personalized treatment plan.
Here's to your health, and your recovery!
Dr. David Didlake, DPT
PT, Cert. SMT/DN, CSCS, Cert. TPI Medical Level 3, Dip. Osteopractic, FAAOMPT
Owner, Integrative Therapeutics "Home of the Saint Louis Golf Doc"
Follow me @theintegrativeclinic @thestlgolfdoc
Glossary of Common Cupping Terms
Cupping Therapy
A traditional healing practice in which suction is created on the skin using cups to promote circulation, relieve muscle tension, and support healing.
Dry Cupping
A type of cupping that uses suction only, without any skin incisions or bloodletting.
Wet Cupping (Hijama)
A cupping method involving small skin incisions before applying suction, resulting in the removal of a small amount of blood.
Fire Cupping
A technique where heat is used to create a vacuum inside a glass cup before placing it on the skin.
Silicone Cups
Flexible cups made from silicone, often used for gentle, adjustable suction and for massage or moving cupping.
Manual Pump Cups
Cups equipped with a hand pump to control the amount of suction applied to the skin.
Suction
The negative pressure created inside the cup, which lifts the skin and underlying tissues.
Stagnation
A term from traditional Chinese medicine describing the buildup of energy, blood, or fluids in an area, believed to cause pain or illness.
Qi (Chi)
In Chinese medicine, the vital energy or life force believed to flow through the body’s pathways (meridians).
Myofascial Release
A technique that targets the fascia (connective tissue) to reduce pain and improve mobility; cupping may be used as a form of myofascial release.
Trigger Point
A sensitive area or “knot” in the muscle that can cause pain elsewhere in the body; cupping is sometimes used to relieve trigger points.
Moving/Dynamic (Massage) Cupping
A technique where cups are slid over lubricated skin to provide a massage-like effect.
Contraindication
A medical reason or condition for which a particular therapy or procedure should not be used.
Aftercare
Steps taken following a cupping session, such as cleaning the skin, staying hydrated, and monitoring for adverse reactions.
Petechiae
Small red or purple spots on the skin caused by minor bleeding from broken capillaries, sometimes occurring after cupping.
Hematoma
A localized collection of blood outside blood vessels (a bruise), which can occasionally result from cupping if excessive suction is used.
Cupping Marks
Circular red or purple spots left on the skin after cupping, typically harmless and fading within a few days.
Sterilization
The process of cleaning and disinfecting cups and equipment to prevent infection.
Session
A single instance of cupping therapy, including preparation, application, and aftercare.
References
For those interested in the scientific evidence behind cupping, we've included some key research citations:
AlBedah, A. M. N., Elsubai, I. S., Qureshi, N. A., Aboushanab, T. S., Ali, G. I., El-Olemy, A. T., Khalil, M. K. M., Alqaed, M. S., Alzahrani, H. A., Alhoussien, A. O., & Alqahtani, S. Y. (2018). Evaluation of Wet Cupping Therapy: Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(3), 208–228.
Warken, R. E., Reid, E., & Harp, C. M. (2024). Cupping therapy treatment on range of motion. The Sport Journal.
Lauche, R., Cramer, H., Haller, H., Dobos, G., & Musial, F. (2018). Effects of Cupping Therapy in Amateur and Professional Athletes: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(3), 208–219.
Lauche, R., Spitzer, J., Schwahn, B., Ostermann, T., Bernardy, K., Cramer, H., Dobos, G., & Langhorst, J. (2016). Efficacy of cupping therapy in patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome—a randomised placebo controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, Article ID 373016, 1–11.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment.
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