Cupping Therapy
At Vitality Health New York, cupping therapy is one of the hands-on techniques Dr. Neel Kumar and our care team use to support chiropractic care and help patients recover faster from muscle tension, tightness, and pain. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, cupping is a natural complement to chiropractic adjustments, helping the surrounding soft tissue respond better to treatment.
How Cupping Works
During a session, specialized cups are placed on the skin and gentle suction is created, drawing blood to the area beneath. This increases circulation at the small-vessel level, helps relax tight muscle fibers, and encourages the body's natural healing response. Cupping shares similar goals with acupuncture but uses suction instead of needles, making it a good option for patients who want the circulatory benefits without needling.
Conditions Cupping May Help
Cupping is often used alongside chiropractic care to address:
- Chronic muscle tension and tightness
- Neck and back pain that limits mobility
- Poor circulation in the muscles surrounding the spine
- Sports injuries and overuse-related soreness
- Stress-related muscle tightness
How Cupping Complements Chiropractic Care
Dr. Kumar frequently incorporates cupping into a broader chiropractic treatment plan, using it to loosen tight, guarded muscles before an adjustment or to ease soreness afterward. Because it is integrated with your chiropractic care rather than offered on its own, cupping becomes part of a coordinated approach designed to get you out of pain and keep you there.
What to Expect During a Session
Cupping is a gentle, non-invasive treatment. You may feel a light pulling or tightness at the cup site, but sessions are generally relaxing. It's common to notice temporary, painless circular marks where the cups were placed, these fade within a few days and are simply a sign of increased circulation to the area.
Call or text (212) 245-5688 to ask whether cupping therapy is a good fit for your chiropractic treatment plan.