Cupping / Myofascial Decompression (MFD)

Cupping has been used for thousands of years to alleviate pain while Myofascial decompression (MFD) is a variation that has gained popularity in athletics and rehabilitation.

The History of Cupping

Cupping, a technique dating back millennia, has been utilized to alleviate pain and enhance overall health. Historical records suggest that Egyptians may have practiced cupping as early as 1550 B.C.

What is Myofascial Decompression (MFD)?

In recent times, a derivative of traditional cupping, known as Myofascial Decompression (MFD), has surged in popularity within athletics and rehabilitation circles. MFD was coined by Dr. Christopher DaPrato, DPT, SCS, CSCS, MFDc, during his research on the effectiveness of Cup Therapy at the University of California, San Francisco.

Are Myofascial Decompression and Cupping the same thing?

“Myofascial Decompression” and “Cupping” are not synonymous and the application, treatment philosophy, and goals are completely different.

Dr. Christopher DaPrato’s innovative approach to utilizing suction cups, traditional tools in Eastern medicine, was deeply influenced by Functional Manual Therapy® (FMT) principles. He found that combining cup decompression with FMT’s emphasis on active movement and neuromuscular re-education yielded superior results.

Rest assured, your health is our top priority!

MFD by IPA Physio

As all of the clinicians at IPA Physio are highly trained in the FMT approach, we are some of the most adept at seamlessly integrating MFD into our treatments.

MYOFASCIAL DECOMPRESSION

Combines negative pressure technology with evidence-based movement science principles, to achieve improved efficiency of motion with enhanced fascial mobility and neuromuscular re-education.

  • Negative pressure soft tissue treatment technique
  • Used to improve mobility of tissues
  • Uses dynamic movement patterns
  • Direction and force of cup placement matters
  • Mobilization with MFD is followed by neuromuscular re-education

CUPPING

A therapy used in traditional Chinese medicine to remove stagnation and stimulate the flow of “Chi”.

  • Eastern medicine technique
  • Performed along acupuncture points & meridians
  • Used to cure many ailments
  • Passive modality
  • Restores energy flow, “Chi”

What makes Myofascial Decompression a unique approach?

At IPA Physio, we are trained in numerous types of soft tissue mobilization techniques, including MFD. It is imperative for the best results to select the best treatment technique for the targeted tissues. MFD is a valuable tool because:, and implement the most indicated method of treatment depending on a number of factors.

  • MFD is the only treatment technique that is decompressive in nature utilizing negative pressure to lift and separate the targeted tissues rather than pressing into them
  • Integrating active movements with the decompressive forces yields superior results compared to the passive application of cups
  • Improves tissue hydration, gliding, & mobility
  • Improves movement, function, & performance
  • Helps accelerate recovery from training

Why Myofascial Decompression Will Help You

Cupping and Myofascial decompression (MFD) can be an ideal treatment for everyone from athletes to executives. It’s perfect for optimizing athletic performance, improving recovery time, and improving your overall well-being. Whether you’ve been training hard or just need some stress relief, use this treatment to stretch your muscles and connective tissues.

Myofascial decompression can provide a lot of relief and benefits to your overall well-being and movement, including:

  • Decreases tightness and restores space in tissues that are stuck together.
  • Increases blood flow to the region to promote healing and nutrient exchange.
  • Improves tissue hydration allowing for better slide/glide.
  • Improved lymphatic drainage.
  • Decreases pain through the release of natural endorphins in the body.
  • Improves nerve mobility and nerve conduction.
  • Activates the Heme Oxygenase-1 system which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuromodulatory effects helping accelerate healing/recovery.
  • Decreased creatine kinase blood levels in athletes helping accelerate recovery. (Creatine kinase is an enzyme released into the bloodstream when muscle damage has occurred.  This is a normal biochemical effect of exercise.  The higher the levels of this enzyme the more soreness/pain is felt and the slower the recovery.)

Here’s what you can expect from MFD treatment:

  • Decreased tension
  • Improved mobility/range of motion
  • Reduced pain
  • Increased muscle power/strength/endurance
  • Improved postural alignment
  • Improved performance

MFD is a valuable treatment technique to be used in combination with a comprehensive physical therapy plan of care because:

  • Other soft tissue treatments are compressive in nature (hands/instruments pushing into the tissues).
  • Treats the root of the problem in restricted tissues instead of just the symptoms.
  • Non-invasive (no needles or scalpels).
  • Very few potential side effects.
  • No chemicals or toxins injected (which can weaken the tissues).

FAQs for MFD

You will feel mild-moderate discomfort from the negative pressure under the cup that decreases as you move and the tissues release. Your active participation in moving will moderate the amount of discomfort you feel, the harder you stretch, the more intense the stretching sensation.

You will likely experience 1-3 days of tenderness in the area treated, much like after most other soft tissue mobilization techniques. You will also likely get some temporary discoloration of the skin that results in those recognizable circular marks that many athletes, including Michael Phelps, made famous. These marks will typically fade within 7-10 days. The medical terms for these marks are “petechia/echymosis”, which are basically fancy names for what many people would identify as a “hickey” mark. Scientifically it is subcutaneous extravasation of blood within the tissues, which results in discoloration of the skin from the seepage of blood in the tissues.

MFD is a very safe and effective treatment if applied by a trained therapist. Any adverse side-effects are rare, and usually range from mild to moderate in intensity. These effects could involve feeling soreness to the area treated, or experiencing dizziness and/or nausea.

This is dependent on the chronicity/severity of the tissue restrictions being treated and the depth of the tissue restrictions.  The more chronic/severe the tissue restrictions and the deeper the restrictions the more treatments are usually required/recommended; however, each treatment can produce amazing results of increased mobility and decreased pain.

The length of treatment time with the cups is dependent on the chronicity/severity of the tissue restrictions, the tolerance of the tissues to the treatment, and patient tolerance.  Each area treated with MFD will typically take 3-8 minutes and then followed up with additional manual techniques to the tissues/joints as indicated.

If your tissues are just tight/restricted impacting your posture and functional movement, you would benefit from MFD immediately. If you have undergone a recent surgery or sustained a trauma that injured tissues in your body, the tissues often need 2-4 weeks to heal before implementing MFD techniques. However, other techniques can be utilized to assist with the healing/recovery process, so you should start physical therapy as soon as possible.

Yes. All of our clinicians at IPA Physio are proficient in the use of MFD to reduce pain and improve function. They will blend MFD with other treatment modalities in order to yield the best results for your specific case.

Most people could benefit from MFD being integrated into their self-care and body-maintenance routines. Below is an abbreviated list of populations who really need to integrate MFD into their rehab programs:

  • People recovering from any type of orthopedic surgery
  • People experiencing chronic and unresolved pain
  • People with any excessive curvature in their spine: scoliosis, excessive kyphosis of the thoracic spine, excessive lordosis of the lumbar spine, etc.
  • Athletes (runners, volleyball players, basketball players, soccer players, golfers, dancers, crossfit athletes, etc.). All athletes can see improved performance from improved flexibility, symmetry of muscles, and greater ease of movement.

Is Myofascial Decompression Evidence Based?

Numerous studies support the use of MFD, when paired with loading and active movements, as an effective treatment approach to reduce pain and optimize movement.

  • DaPrato, Christopher, et al. “The Immediate and Long-Term Effects of Negative Pressure Soft Tissue Mobilization on the Iliotibial Bands of Runners Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, vol. 22, no. 4, 2018, p. 863, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2018.09.050.
  • DaPrato, C. Effects of Soft Tissue Mobilization With Negative Pressure Device on the Shoulder, Using MR Imaging., DPT, SCS, Assistant Professor, UCSF. https://www.cuptherapy.com/_files/ugd/12c814_558b4c9db9d544f88479a277f3b32e1c.pdf
  • Warren AJ, LaCross Z, Volberding JL, O’Brien MS. ACUTE OUTCOMES OF MYOFASCIAL DECOMPRESSION (CUPPING THERAPY) COMPARED TO SELF-MYOFASCIAL RELEASE ON HAMSTRING PATHOLOGY AFTER A SINGLE TREATMENT. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2020 Aug;15(4):579-592. PMID: 33354391; PMCID: PMC7735689. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33354391/
  • SIlva, J.P.L. da ., Cardoso, G. da S. and Silva, C.E. de S. 2023. Cupping therapy as a complementary treatment for migraine: a systematic review. Research, Society and Development. 12, 6 (Jun. 2023), e2312642061. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v12i6.42061