Cupping Therapy in Burnaby: Benefits and What to Expect

Cupping therapy uses cups placed on the skin to create suction. The suction lifts the tissue into the cup, which decompresses the layers beneath the skin and increases blood flow to the area. The technique comes from traditional medicine and is now used in physiotherapy to work on muscle and fascia.

Because the lift separates tissue layers, cupping is used on adhesions, long-standing muscle tension and restricted range of motion. At BLVD, cupping is given by our physiotherapists as one of the treatments within physiotherapy at BLVD.

Cupping therapy suits tension that sits deep in muscle and fascia. It fits when you notice:

• Neck and shoulder pain from long days at a desk
• Muscle knots that do not ease with regular massage
• Restricted range of motion after an injury
• Headaches that start from neck tension
• Post-workout soreness that gets in the way of training
• Forward head posture with rounded shoulders

Athletes and active people also use cupping to recover between training sessions. Your physiotherapist pairs cupping with exercise so the change in movement holds between visits.

The suction draws blood to the surface and lifts the tissue, which stretches the fascia and separates adhesions. A visit follows these steps:

• Book online or call (604) 364-1626, and let us know you would like cupping therapy.
• Assessment: your physiotherapist looks at where you feel tension, how you move and your health history to decide whether cupping fits.
• Placement: the cups go on the skin over the tight area and the suction lifts the tissue.
• Suction: your physiotherapist sets the suction level to your comfort and adjusts it as the tissue responds.
• Movement: cupping is followed by exercise or manual therapy to keep the range of motion you gain.

Your physiotherapist adjusts how the cups are used to how your tissue responds.