A Unique Approach to Pain Management
Have you recently been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis and are looking for ways to manage your symptoms? You might want to consider cupping, an ancient healing technique gaining popularity in the 21st century.
Cupping involves using small cups to create a suction force upon your skin. This process promotes blood flow to the affected area, which can soothe pain and facilitate healing in the muscles.
At Cascade Hand & Orthopedic Rehab in Fort Myers, FL, our hand therapists utilize cupping techniques to address pain in your upper extremities: your shoulders, arms, wrist, and hands. Curious to learn more? Contact our clinic today!
What Conditions Can Cupping Help Treat?
People primarily turn to cupping to relieve pain and manage chronic health conditions. Athletes also use it to help with post-workout recovery.
As hand therapists, we use cupping to address various ailments of the upper extremities. Here are a few of the conditions that might benefit from cupping therapy:
- Arthritis: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from cupping therapy. These conditions can cause pain in the muscles surrounding the affected joint, such as your hands or shoulders. Cupping can alleviate that muscular pain.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Similarly, studies show that cupping can help reduce symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The vacuum effect helps relieve pressure on the median nerve and improves blood flow and nerve conduction.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: If you’ve strained a rotator cuff muscle/tendon in your shoulder, cupping can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and facilitate healing.
What To Expect During Cupping Therapy
Cupping is a simple, safe, and noninvasive treatment method. During a cupping session in Fort Myers, FL, you’ll relax on a table or chair as one of our hand therapists places the cups on the skin of the affected area. We’ll then suction the air out of the cup, creating a suction effect that draws your skin up into the cup.
We’ll keep the cups on your skin for a set period (usually 5-15 minutes), then remove them. You’ll notice round, red marks on your skin: this is completely normal! The negative pressure created by the suction pulls capillaries (the tiny blood vessels near the skin’s surface) into the cup. This causes a rupture in these small vessels, leading to a minor version of what happens when you get a bruise. They should fade within a week or so.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!