Cupping can assist lower back pain
Cupping is the process of using a vacuum-like device to draw up the muscle and connective tissue into a cup. This has all of the same benefits of massage, except it is a negative pressure, rather than a positive one. Pulling instead of pushing.
Not only is this a great mix up of your treatment, but depending on the treatment that is being used, cupping creates a nice sustained hold of the tissue, with or without movement, which stretches and lengthens the muscle fibres.
When muscle fibres excessively tighten (due to overuse, misuse or weakness), they can become stuck in their contracted state and become trigger points or knots. This means the muscle is impaired and cannot rest or contract properly. As they are stagnant, they become dehydrated which causes the muscle to be very rigid. Cupping not only helps to lengthen these rigid areas, but also increases the blood flow to these areas, hydrating the cells.
I personally find cupping great and super effective on areas that are quite thick with muscular and fascia layering – just like the lower back.
The mid to lower back is a an area of muscle that is enclosed by a thick layer of fascia. The fascia transfers load between the different muscles and helps to stabilise the back.
As it is connected to so many different layers at different areas of the muscle, the fascia becomes super tight as it is constantly being pulled from every direction, more so from those dysfunctional muscles.
Placing cups on this area helps to lengthen this fascia which, as a result, helps to release those dysfunctional muscles that are attached to it.
–Alli Jennings
