If you've ever noticed those circular marks on the backs of Olympic athletes and wondered what they were, you've already encountered cupping therapy. Once a niche technique associated with traditional medicine, cupping has earned a permanent place in modern chiropractic and integrative wellness care. At New Journey Chiropractor and Wellness in Wilton Manors, it's one of the tools Dr. Thomas Wiest uses to help patients recover faster, move better, and get out of pain.
So what exactly is cupping therapy, and is it right for you? Here's what you need to know.
What Is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy involves placing specialized cups on the skin to create suction. That suction lifts the skin and the soft tissue beneath it, increasing blood flow to the area and creating a decompression effect in the underlying muscle and fascia.
Unlike most soft tissue treatments that apply downward pressure, cupping works by pulling tissue upward. This reversal of pressure is part of what makes it distinct. It reaches areas that compression-based techniques can't always address as effectively, particularly in cases where muscle and connective tissue are bound together or circulation has become restricted.
Sessions typically involve placing cups on the back, shoulders, neck, or legs for several minutes. Patients sometimes see reddish or purplish circular marks afterward. These are not bruises. They reflect stagnant blood being drawn to the surface as circulation is restored, and they fade within a few days.
The Core Benefits of Cupping Therapy
Pain relief. Cupping is most commonly used to address musculoskeletal pain. The suction effect releases tension in deep muscle tissue, reduces pressure on surrounding nerves, and promotes the kind of circulation that helps an area heal. Patients dealing with chronic neck pain, upper back tension, lower back pain, and shoulder stiffness often find meaningful relief after just a few sessions.
Improved circulation. Restricted or sluggish blood flow is a contributing factor in a wide range of conditions, from slow-healing injuries to persistent muscle soreness. Cupping draws blood into areas where circulation has been compromised, bringing with it the oxygen and nutrients tissues need to recover. This is one reason cupping became popular among competitive athletes looking for a recovery edge.
Myofascial release. The fascia is the connective tissue that wraps around and between muscles. When fascia becomes tight or adhesed, it restricts movement and contributes to pain. Cupping creates a decompression between the layers of tissue that allows fascia to release in a way that's difficult to achieve through manual pressure alone. For patients who've had limited results from standard massage, this is often where the difference shows up.
Nervous system support. Sustained muscle tension keeps the nervous system in a low-level state of alarm. When cupping releases that tension, many patients experience not just physical relief but a noticeable shift in how they feel overall. The parasympathetic nervous system activates, the body moves into a recovery state, and stress that's been held in the tissue starts to let go.
Faster recovery from injury. By increasing local circulation and reducing inflammation, cupping supports the body's natural repair process. This is why it's frequently used alongside chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy as part of a broader recovery plan, rather than as a standalone treatment.
Who Can Benefit from Cupping Therapy?
Cupping isn't just for athletes, though it works particularly well for them. Patients who tend to see strong results include people managing chronic pain conditions that haven't fully responded to other treatments, individuals with recurring tension in specific areas of the back or neck, anyone recovering from a soft tissue injury or dealing with post-surgical tightness, and people who carry significant physical or psychological stress in their bodies.
At New Journey Chiropractor and Wellness, Dr. Wiest assesses each patient before recommending cupping to confirm it's the right tool for their specific presentation. His background in functional neurology and chiropractic informs that assessment, so the recommendation is grounded in clinical reasoning rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
How Cupping Works Alongside Chiropractic Care
One of the strongest arguments for cupping is how well it integrates with chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments restore joint mobility and proper alignment. Cupping addresses the soft tissue tension that can pull joints back out of position and limit how well an adjustment holds.
When both are used together, patients often progress more quickly and sustain their results longer. The soft tissue work done by cupping creates a more receptive environment for the adjustment, and the adjustment reinforces the structural benefit of the soft tissue release.
This is how Dr. Wiest approaches care at New Journey: not as a collection of isolated treatments, but as a coordinated plan where each modality supports the others. Cupping may be recommended before or after an adjustment, paired with myofascial release, or used as part of a longer recovery protocol depending on what a patient needs.
What to Expect During a Cupping Session in Wilton Manors
For patients who haven't experienced cupping before, the anticipation is often worse than the reality. Most describe the sensation as a strong pulling feeling that's unusual but not painful. The cups typically stay in place for a few minutes, though sliding cupping techniques move the cups across the skin in a way that resembles a deep tissue massage in reverse.
After the session, the circular marks may be visible for a few days. Most patients notice a reduction in muscle tension within hours and report that the area feels looser and more mobile.
If you're curious about whether cupping therapy could help with what you're dealing with, the best next step is a conversation with Dr. Wiest. New Journey Chiropractor and Wellness serves patients throughout Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale, and Broward County, and the clinic offers cupping as part of a full integrative care model that includes chiropractic, functional neurology, gua sha, myofascial release, and medical massage.
Book your appointment at New Journey Chiropractor and Wellness today and find out what cupping can do as part of your care plan.
