Does Dry Cupping Work for Plantar Fasciitis?

What Is Dry Cupping?

Dry cupping is a manual treatment used over a specific body portion to pull muscle and tissues upward, spreading them out to produce significant results. The action created here has a vacuum that creates pressure to facilitate an increase in circulation.

To perform this therapy, a cup and manually operated hand pump produce pressure after the cup is heated and placed on the affected area. As it cools and the pump is engaged, a vacuum is created that triggers the desired results.

This form of therapy is available at a physician's office or through the use of kits available for home use. The treatment is rapid, generally only lasting for about 10 minutes. Because of the increased blood flow, the pain is reduced, and toxins are eliminated.

When Is Cupping a Viable Option?

Cupping treats numerous conditions like fibromyalgia, back pain, osteoarthritis, and plantar fasciitis. Other ailments that cupping is effective for include:

How Effective is Dry Cupping for Plantar Fasciitis?

There's no shortage of evidence regarding the positive results of dry cupping for plantar fasciitis. During studies, patients had high success rates for reducing pain associated with plantar fasciitis due to dry cupping. When this remedy is combined with other therapy forms, positive results are further magnified.

Additional therapies that promote further healing include various types of physical therapy and electrode stimulation. Using dry cupping effectively reduces the infamous morning pain associated with plantar fasciitis.

To make a comparison, technically, dry cupping is the exact opposite of massage therapy. What do we mean by this?

Massage for pain reduction and physical therapy uses positive pressure on the focus areas. However, dry cupping uses negative pressure to pull the muscles apart and is more effective in most cases.

What are the Side Effects of Dry Cupping?

Dry cupping has typical side effects - none of which produce permanent results. Any minor residual symptoms are associated with the pressure used from the cup that causes temporary bruising or inflammation. These side effects could include:

All equipment should be sanitized before and after use to prevent the spread of any bacteria or infections. During the process, it's crucial that you only apply the cup to soft tissue and not bones. The most important thing to remember is never to leave it on the skin any longer than 10 minutes. This will lead to serious injury, including ruptured veins.

Using dry cupping to reduce heel pain should be performed alongside other approved therapy methods for plantar fasciitis. This includes actions like icing or heating and even simple stretch exercises.

Conducting your trials with interchangeable forms of treatment is the best way to find your most optimal results. Cycle through different forms of therapy until you find the combination that works the best.

Things to Keep In Mind

You must always consult your primary care physician before performing any treatment. Ask your doctor or specialists any of the following inquiries before beginning your regimen:

What Draws So Many Sufferers of Plantar Fasciitis to Dry Cupping?

The positive results are the primary reason so many patients are attracted to dry cupping for plantar fasciitis. However, it's also one of the least expensive types of therapy. By participating in this treatment, you'll experience a drastic reduction in morning heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis.

It's also an efficient treatment method for clients of all demographics, including adults and teenagers. Besides the low price point associated with dry cupping, the results seem to be long-lasting. In addition, there's no limit to how dry cupping can be used, assuming you allow any swelling, pinching, or bruising to subside before beginning a new treatment.

Bottom Line On Dry Cupping for Plantar Fasciitis

Dry cupping seems to be one of the most effective methods for treating plantar fasciitis. Using it as a standalone form of therapy produces positive results. However, combining it with several different plantar fasciitis treatments creates more significant relief.

Use electrode therapy, regular physical therapy, ice packs, heating pads, and other physical options. Another point to remember is that using dry cupping combined with the above treatments may also be combined with over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and others.

Using all the methods mentioned above, you can look forward to experiencing a significant amount of pain relief associated with plantar fasciitis. Only use dry cupping when you're experiencing pain, and never on areas that aren't irritated or tight. If you experience any unusual pain or discomfort that seems irregular, consult your physical therapist immediately.