Cupping has been found in records dating back to before 1500 B.C. This technique was used by different cultures for centuries.

Modern day approaches have changed, but the objective of cupping remains the same.
Decompression or lifting of tissue which can help to:

1. Inhibit pain
2. Increase movement in tight tissues
3. Improve blood flow
4. Retrain specific movement patterns.
5. Decrease fear avoidance activity.

Cupping or Decompression therapy is the placement of cups on the skin and using negative pressure to lift the tissue under the cup. This can be done with small silicone cups, glass cups which have been heated (as the air cools a vacuum is created) and with cups that air is pulled out of with a syringe through a one-way valve. A variety of shapes and sizes of cups are used to achieve very specific effects.

An article published in 2020 compared the effect of cupping with foam rolling to achieve a lengthening of the hamstrings muscle. The results were that both techniques resulted in perceived improvement (how the person felt) and the muscle was longer afterwards. However, cupping was consistently more effective.

Cupping can be done at home with techniques that can be taught by your therapist. Just like foam rolling, when these techniques are applied with specific exercises you can improve your flexibility, decrease pain and improve motor control and stabilization.