This post is a follow-up to The Chronic Pain Therapies A-Listers Swear By. If you haven’t already read it for an overview of what cupping is and it’s therapeutic effects, be sure to check it out!
If you are living with a rare disease, trying to manage chronic pain, and looking for homeopathic therapies to incorporate into your daily life then this article is for you.
Rob is a really interesting guy. Athletics and being active have always been his passion. Growing up he played football, wrestling, baseball, lacrosse, track and field, basketball and he ended up playing Division 1 football for Iona College. He had been evaluated and was told he had weak ligaments, but strong muscles and bones. After his two surgeries for his torn labrums and rotators cuffs,
Rob said, “I figured that was it, no more sports.”
What was your official diagnosis?
“Straightening of lumbar lordosis secondary to muscle spasm.”
This condition is known as degenerative lumbar scoliosis. I don’t have the normal lumbar curvature. There is some unnatural straightening going on.
Rob’s Cupping Experience
“I’ve always held a labor intensive job, since the age of 14- anything from landscaping to welding.” (Rob is currently a welder and makes some really incredible structures.)
“I had met a physical therapist, and began treatment for my back pain. I went to a back, and spine doctor to receive x-rays. He said my spine was too straight, not very S curved, and that my back traps were on the weaker side because I was constantly relying on my forearms, and shoulders to do the majority of heavy lifting and prolonged position holding. So occasionally I would feel tingling and soreness week-in and week-out.”
Rob concluded that despite physical therapy exercise, deep tissue manual therapy, and ultra sound and stimulation, his back still spasmed, and it was painful. Rob didn’t want to rely on pain pills or take muscle relaxers regularly, so he opted to try this mixed acupuncture cupping thing?
“At first, I told myself, no way in hell will I allow needles in me, and some hooplah for Chinese medicine. But I gave in, it was either muscle relaxers, or good ole natural healing. ”
Rob describes his first cupping therapy experience…
“The guy rubbed me down with something that smelled like tiger balm, and icy hot. Then he did some manual work, pin pointed the spasm area and placed suction cups up and down my spine. Every minute or so moving them to and around the centralized pain areas.”
“My skin was transforming to all different colors ranging from pink to dark purple. The deeper the color, the poorer circulation and and ailment would show. He then applied acupuncture needles where the cups were placed along with a heated lamp. He then hooked up his electronic tens machine that sends electric currents to certain needles he hooked up to and boom, the pain was easing up and my back was buzzing, warmed and I did not feel that I was hurting more than I had been before. My back actually felt amazing other than receiving a bunch of hickies upon seeing my back in the mirror.”
Tell us more about what it feels like… Google says it can be really painful…
“The cupping feels like as if you hold a vacuum to your skin, without the noise. And the needles– I don’t feel a thing, until he hooks up the tens machine to the needles for deep tissue therapy. Then my muscles activate and massage themselves and activate.”
How often do the bruises last?
“Bruises last up to a week and fade away day by day, and as treatment progresses they hardly last a day or two.
“The mixture of both physical therapy, and ACUPUNCTURE has given me pain free back relief.”
How often do you go in for therapy sessions?
One time per month (to cupping) and 1 time per week to physical therapy. These two therapies combined are life savers. If not for them, I would not be able to lift, or breathe like a regular human being. Anyone can do it, and they say it pretty much can treat any type of pain in the body, as well as trying to quit cigarettes.“
Quitting cigarettes? Really?
“Yeah, something about neutral path ways interconnected through the body to help quit the cessation. I ask my acupuncturist if he can hit the spots on my body to help me quit. Cupping can be done for almost any kind of ailment. From spasms to skin disorders to stomach issues.”
Can you get cupping done at any physical therapy center? Does it require a certain level of acupuncture certification or type of specialist?
“Not every physical therapy place offers the service and the acupunturist should be licensed in the state you live in.”
Tell us a little bit about what it costs you and does your insurance cover it?
“Therapy is regular co-pay, and acupunture is like, $40. Evaluations are a little more, but regular treatment is worth it. Same as if a script for muscle relaxers.”
