Cupping therapy may look a little unconventional, but don’t let the circular marks fool you—it’s a powerful treatment with real benefits for pain relief, muscle recovery, and improved mobility. At Ascend Chiropractic, cupping is often used alongside other techniques like ART and dry needling to help patients recover faster and move more freely.
Dr. Rob Lane and Dr. Gabe Rahn both offer cupping therapy as part of their treatment plans, using it to target muscle tightness, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation. Whether you’re dealing with sore muscles from training or chronic tension from work, cupping can be a helpful addition to your recovery routine.
What Is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping involves placing special suction cups on the skin to create negative pressure. This suction gently lifts the skin and underlying tissue, which helps promote blood flow, break up tight fascia, and stimulate healing.
There are different types of cupping—stationary, where the cups are left in place, and dynamic, where the cups are moved across the skin to release muscle tension. Both techniques are used at Ascend depending on your specific needs.
Why Cupping Works
While it’s been used for centuries in various cultures, cupping has gained popularity in modern sports medicine and chiropractic care because it works. Here's how:
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Increased Circulation: The suction pulls blood to the surface, helping oxygen and nutrients reach the muscles faster and flush out metabolic waste.
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Fascial Release: Fascia is the connective tissue surrounding muscles. When it becomes tight or restricted, it can limit movement. Cupping helps loosen those layers for better flexibility.
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Pain Reduction: By decreasing inflammation and pressure on pain-sensitive areas, cupping provides natural relief from aches and tightness.
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Muscle Recovery: Athletes use cupping to speed up recovery post-workout, reducing soreness and keeping muscles healthy.
Common Conditions Treated with Cupping
Cupping therapy can benefit a wide range of conditions, including:
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Back and neck pain
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Shoulder tension
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Tight hamstrings or quads
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IT band tightness
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Tension headaches
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Overuse injuries
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Limited range of motion
It’s especially helpful for patients who are active or spend long hours sitting, which often leads to stiffness and poor circulation in key areas.
Cupping at Ascend Chiropractic
At Ascend, cupping isn’t a standalone therapy—it’s part of a bigger plan to get your body moving better. Dr. Rob and Dr. Gabe often combine cupping with chiropractic adjustments, ART, and IASTM to treat the root cause of your discomfort.
We tailor every treatment session based on how your body moves and what you're feeling. Whether it’s tight shoulders, stiff legs, or lingering soreness, we’ll help you find relief and get you back to doing what you love—without restriction.
Book Your Session Today
If you’re curious about cupping or want to see how it fits into your treatment plan, schedule a visit at Ascend Chiropractic. We’ll walk you through the process, answer any questions, and make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way.
Your body deserves to move well—and cupping therapy might be just what it needs to get there.
