Hi MOT family! Bailey here and today we are discussing dry cupping: what it is, how it works and what are the benefits. Many of you may have seen it, heard of it, tried it or have been curious to know how it works.
Dry cupping is a technique that has been used for centuries that has been shown to have therapeutic and healing benefits. There has been evidence for use in treatment for localized ailments, pain, and headaches just to name a few. The suction effect that occurs with cupping causes neural, hematological effects and histological changes in the skin. This leads to vasodilation or increased blood flow to that area which in return promotes cell repair and increased healing. Some believe that it also helps to eliminate and release toxins from the area.
For mothers who may have a cesarean scar, dry cupping may be used to help reduce scar tissue, improve overall appearance of scar and improve the function/mobility of the scar.
You may benefit from using silicone cups to your c-section scar directly in the comfort of your own home (see link).
How to use: Your PT will place cups around the affected area/tight tissues and suction to skin. You can either keep the cups in one spot or move them around, which if doing so we recommend using oil or lotion so it glides better. It is best to leave the cups on for 5-10 minutes before removing. You may notice some redness and skin discoloration after removing the cups, which is normal and should diminish within a few days.
I hope this gives you some insight into the world of dry cupping and why some health professionals include it in their treatment sessions. As always, it has been a pleasure to share this with you all!
Note: *When applying cups to skin, you do not want to suction too much to the point of severe bruising. Also, dry cupping is not recommended for those who are pregnant, over an open wound, fracture etc.
All the best,
Bailey
These videos are meant to be educational and instructional. They are not able to diagnose or treat a specific issue and are definitely not a substitute for a professional evaluation.
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