Does cupping help with muscle soreness?

Cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that has been used for centuries to alleviate muscle soreness and pain. It involves creating suction on the skin using cups, which is believed to improve blood flow and promote healing.

Key Insights:

Cupping therapy enhances oxygen uptake in muscles, which may facilitate muscular functions and potentially relieve muscle pain and fatigue.
Different durations and pressures of cupping therapy can affect muscle stiffness, with longer duration at higher pressure showing more effectiveness in reducing deep muscle layer stiffness.
Post-exercise cupping therapy may improve mucosal immune function, decrease inflammation, and reduce perceived exertion in athletes.
Cupping therapy has been shown to acutely reduce pain, decrease tenderness, and improve range of motion in patients with subacute or chronic low back pain.
Cupping therapy can alleviate symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome and may be effective in the short-term management of the condition.
Home-based cupping massage was found to be no more effective than progressive muscle relaxation in reducing chronic non-specific neck pain, although it may improve well-being and decrease pressure pain sensitivity.
Cupping induces a long-lasting anaerobic metabolism in the subcutaneous tissue and increases immediate pressure pain thresholds in some areas.
Brief dry cupping may reduce muscle soreness 24 hours after exercise but has no effect on the range of motion.
The biomechanical perspective suggests that the effects of cupping are mostly limited to the region enclosed by the cup, and the magnitude of applied vacuum may influence the severity of skin bruising.

Conclusion:

Cupping therapy appears to have a positive effect on muscle soreness and pain relief in various contexts, including post-exercise recovery, chronic pain conditions, and specific syndromes like carpal tunnel syndrome. The therapy may work by enhancing blood flow, oxygen uptake, and inducing beneficial metabolic changes in the treated muscles. While some studies suggest that cupping is as effective as other relaxation techniques, others highlight its unique benefits in improving well-being and reducing pain sensitivity. The effectiveness of cupping may also be influenced by the duration and pressure of the application. However, it is important to note that the effects are generally localized to the area of treatment and that the technique should be applied carefully to avoid skin bruising.

Does cupping help with muscle soreness?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Sources and full results

Significant and sustaining elevation of blood oxygen induced by Chinese cupping therapy as assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy.

Cupping therapy significantly enhances blood oxygen levels, potentially promoting muscular function and relieving pain.

Effect of durations and pressures of cupping therapy on muscle stiffness of triceps

Cupping therapy, particularly 10-minute sessions at -300 mmHg, effectively reduces deep triceps muscle stiffness compared to 5-minute sessions.

Effect of post-exercise cupping therapy on the inflammatory markers in taekwondo athletes

Post-exercise cupping therapy improves mucosal immune function and decreases inflammation in taekwondo athletes after high-intensity training.

A pilot study analyzing the effects of Chinese cupping as an adjunct treatment for patients with subacute low back pain on relieving pain, improving range of motion, and improving function.

Chinese cupping may be a low-risk, therapeutic treatment for reducing symptoms of subacute and chronic low back pain and improving range of motion.

Effects of traditional cupping therapy in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Cupping therapy may effectively relieve pain and other symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome, with potential long-term benefits.

Effectiveness of Home-Based Cupping Massage Compared to Progressive Muscle Relaxation in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Cupping massage is no more effective than progressive muscle relaxation in reducing chronic non-specific neck pain, but may improve well-being and decrease pressure pain sensitivity.

A Pilot Study Analyzing the Effects of Chinese Cupping as an Adjunct Treatment for Patients with Subacute Low Back Pain on Relieving Pain, Improving Range of Motion, and Improving Function

Chinese cupping is an effective adjunct treatment for subacute low back pain, reducing pain, decreasing tenderness, and improving range of motion in patients.

Mode of action of cupping--local metabolism and pain thresholds in neck pain patients and healthy subjects.

Cupping induces anaerobe metabolism in subcutaneous tissue and increases immediate pressure pain thresholds in some areas, potentially benefiting neck pain patients.

Effects of Brief Dry Cupping on Muscle Soreness in the Gastrocnemius Muscle and Flexibility of the Ankle

Brief dry cupping on the calf may reduce 24-hour muscle soreness after heel drops to exhaustion, but has no effect on ankle range of motion.

Cupping: from a biomechanical perspective.

Cupping effectively stimulates acupuncture points for pain relief, with increased applied vacuum pressures increasing stresses in soft tissue and bruising severity depending on cup size.

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