Physical Therapist: No Solid Research on Cupping’s Effect

With Michael Phelps and other athletes in the 2016 Summer Olympics using cupping for recovery, many are wondering: Does it work?

11:00 AM

Author | Kylie Urban

The red and purple circular bruises on several Olympic athletes, including swimmer Michael Phelps, have grabbed attention over the past couple of days.

SEE ALSO: What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Exercising?

Cupping, or the placement of small glass jars on muscles in the body, leaves behind those bruises. It's supposed to increase circulation and blood flow to that specific area because of the suction effect of the jar.

With the recent use by Olympic athletes, cupping has been thrust into the spotlight and has left many athletes, professional and recreational, wondering: Should I try it?

Corey Snyder, D.P.T., O.C.S, S.C.S, M.T.C., physical therapy manager at the University of Michigan Health System MedSport, discusses the research and effectiveness of this practice below.

Where did cupping come from, and why do athletes use it?

Snyder: It has long been used as a therapy in Chinese medicine, but it has more recently found favor in sports medicine as a way to facilitate tissue healing from soft tissue injuries, such a sprain or strain.

Theoretically, the physical suction effect of the cup draws blood flow to the treated area, alters tissue tension/tone and facilitates a "healing" response. Some physical therapists and athletic trainers theorize there can even be a lymphatic draining effect from the cupping that assists with managing swelling from injury.

Athletes are always looking for an edge to be better than their competitors, which is why treatments like acupuncture, cupping and Kinesio taping are often utilized to enhance performance.

Some of those bruises look rough. Is cupping painful?

Snyder: For some athletes or patients, it can be uncomfortable to painful. For other patients or athletes, they might not mind the stimulus. It seems to depend on the particular person and their pain tolerance level.

What kind of research backs up the practice?

Snyder: There has been some limited research on the subject as a whole. For example, one study in 2012 concluded there was evidence that cupping has the potential effect in the treatment of herpes zoster, or shingles, a painful rash that can form on the body. Cupping was used to relieve the pain associated with the rash. But it also stated that further research and trials on cupping's effectiveness is warranted.

So should the average exerciser who has a strain, sprain or pain try it?

Snyder: Anecdotal evidence in case studies does purport its use for common soft tissue problems like plantar fasciitis and IT band syndrome, so it may be worth the effort in some cases. However, there is not a lot of solid research behind its use. I think this is why it hasn't become a fully utilized modality in physical therapy practice.

SEE ALSO: 3 Treatments for Tennis Elbow and Other Types of Tendinopathy

We're hopeful to prove the theoretical evidence pointing towards its ability to increase range of motion by reducing tissue restrictions.

At U-M MedSport, we do not actively use the practice of cupping with patients. However, we do advise patients who come to us open to trying it that it might help, but we don't have that scientific evidence yet to prove its efficacy.

In the scientific and sports medicine community, we don't fully understand what its effects are just yet.


More Articles About: Bones, Muscles & Joints Sports Medicine & Fitness Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Health Lab word mark overlaying blue cells
Health Lab

Explore a variety of healthcare news & stories by visiting the Health Lab home page for more articles.

Media Contact Public Relations

Department of Communication at Michigan Medicine

[email protected]

734-764-2220

Stay Informed

Want top health & research news weekly? Sign up for Health Lab’s newsletters today!

Subscribe
Featured News & Stories Illustration of three older women playing cards at a table
Health Lab
Research needed on support for nontraditional caregivers providing care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
A growing number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias – especially those from diverse backgrounds – receive care from a network of individuals that increasingly includes nontraditional informal caregivers.
Closeup of knee with caregiver holding the joint and examining it.
Health Lab
Lipid mediator Maresin 1 helps improve muscle regeneration
How lipid mediators -- potent regulators of the immune response after an injury -- varied with the acute loss of a large volume of skeletal muscle, also known as volumetric muscle loss (VML) is the focus of new research from the University of Michigan.
Girl participates in rehab activities, playing with shapes on a board and using an exercise ball
Health Lab
Pediatric neuro rehabilitation program provides answers for 10-year-old with a traumatic brain injury
The University of Michigan Health Milestones Pediatric Neuro Rehabilitation Program specializes in evaluating and treating children with an acute neurological diagnosis from an injury or illness.
Illustration of a surgery table
Health Lab
Is surgery the best option for ruptured Achilles tendons in young adults?
Achilles tendon ruptures are normally treated with surgical procedures, but there are other options with equal outcomes.
arm see through smiling faces blue yellow hammer and fit hitting arm
Health Lab
Persistent pain in your funny bone? It could be ulnar neuropathy
A Michigan Medicine expert breaks down what ulnar neuropathy is and how electrodiagnostic studies can assess severity and guide management, which can sometimes include conservative treatment and education on how to protect the nerve.
 boy throwing baseball
Health Lab
Throw a fast ball without throwing out your arm
Michigan Medicine experts explain common throwing sport injuries as well as how to best treat them.