Cupping Therapy and IASTM

Where other types of physiotherapy focus on tissue compression, cupping therapy focuses on myofascial decompression. Cupping therapy uses cups on the body to create suction, gently using negative pressure to pull the skin away from the underlying tissue.  

This increases blood supply to the area, helping to improve blood flow, decrease muscle tension, reduce scar tissue formation, release tightness in a muscle, release trigger points, and promote cellular repair. Cupping therapy has been used to relieve chronic neck pain, shoulder pain, low back pain, knee pain, and fibromyalgia.

At ReBalance Physiotherapy we use the technique of dynamic cupping therapy which involves interaction between the patient and the physiotherapist. With this technique, the patient activates the joint and tissue underneath the cup through movement to further release the soft tissues.

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) is a manual physiotherapy technique that uses special metal tools to gently move and massage against the skin to relieve pain, decrease inflammation, and promote the healing process. This can assist in restoring functional mobility from previous injury.

These special instruments can effectively break down fascial restrictions and scar tissue across the body that may have occurred - due to a surgical operation, repetitive use injury, or immobilisation.  When using certain levels of pressure through IASTM a mild inflammatory response is initiated and this helps to promote the body’s natural healing process, so you can recover and get back to activity faster.

Instrument soft tissue mobilisation has been used to improve soft tissue function and ROM in acute or chronic sports injuries to soft tissues, while also reducing pain.