If you’re dealing with muscle tightness, pain, or stubborn injuries that just won’t go away, you may have heard of cupping therapy — and yes, it’s the same technique you’ve seen used by Olympic swimmers, pro athletes, and wellness enthusiasts alike.
At Tip Top Health through our Acupuncture Treatment in Mississauga, we offer two effective styles of this therapy: dry cupping and running cupping. Both techniques aim to reduce tension, improve circulation, and support your body’s natural healing process — but they work in slightly different ways.
Let’s take a closer look at how each one works, and how both modern science and Traditional Chinese Medicine explain their benefits.
What Is Dry Cupping?
Dry cupping is a technique where cups are placed on the skin and a vacuum is created using suction. This lifting effect gently separates the skin and underlying layers of fascia and muscle, creating space for improved blood flow and tissue recovery.
Benefits of dry cupping include:
- Increased circulation to the targeted area
- Decompression of tight muscles and connective tissue
- Stimulation of lymphatic drainage
- Reduction in pain and inflammation
Patients often describe dry cupping as a “reverse massage” — instead of applying pressure down into the tissue, it lifts and decompresses it. This helps bring fresh, oxygen-rich blood to tight, painful areas while flushing out metabolic waste.
What Is Running Cupping?
Running cupping, also called gliding or sliding cupping, uses the same suction principle — but the cups are gently moved across the skin. This is usually done with a light layer of oil or lotion to reduce friction.
Running cupping is especially helpful for:
- Large muscle groups like the back, thighs, or shoulders
- Tight fascia and trigger points
- Stiffness and limited range of motion
- Post-workout soreness or overuse injuries
This technique combines the benefits of cupping with dynamic soft tissue release, making it a great option for athletes, runners, or anyone dealing with chronic tension.
How Cupping Supports Pain Relief & Recovery
Both static and running cupping work by stimulating the body’s natural repair mechanisms. Here’s how:
- Increases blood flow: Delivers oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues
- Reduces inflammation: Helps clear out waste products from the area
- Releases muscle tension: Especially helpful for chronic tightness and knots
- Improves mobility: By reducing adhesions in fascia and soft tissues
- Calms the nervous system: The gentle decompression can help decrease pain sensitivity
With Acupuncture Treatment in Mississauga, you may feel relief right after your session, with continued improvements over the following 24–72 hours.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cupping therapy has been used for thousands of years to move Qi (energy) and Blood throughout the body. Pain and dysfunction are often thought to be the result of stagnation — where Qi or Blood is not flowing freely.
Cupping helps to:
- Disperse stagnation and promote circulation
- Restore balance to the body’s internal systems
- Encourage the body’s natural healing response
- Release “pathogenic factors” like wind or cold, which are thought to contribute to muscle tightness and illness
From a TCM standpoint, cupping isn’t just about relieving pain — it’s also about restoring harmony and balancethroughout the body. This makes it a powerful complement to chiropractic care, acupuncture, or other manual therapies you may be receiving.
Is Cupping Right for You?
Cupping can be a helpful addition to your treatment plan if you’re dealing with:
- Neck or shoulder tension
- Low back pain
- Muscle tightness or knots
- Running- or sports-related injuries
- IT band syndrome or hip tightness
- Postural strain from desk work or daily stress
It’s a safe, non-invasive, and drug-free option to help your body feel better and move more freely.
What to Expect After Cupping Therapy
It’s normal to notice temporary circular marks or light bruising where the cups were applied — this is simply a sign of increased blood flow and minor capillary stimulation. These marks usually fade within a few days and are not painful.
Many patients report feeling looser, lighter, and more relaxed immediately after a session.
Feel Better, Move Freer with Cupping Therapy
At Tip Top Health, we incorporate dry cupping and running cupping as part of our personalized Acupuncture Treatment in Mississauga plans for pain relief, recovery, and performance.
Book your session online or call to connect!