Cupping
Cupping has been around for thousands of years, and if you've ever noticed those distinctive circular marks on an athlete's back and wondered what they are, now you know. At Well Co. Chiropractic in Sarasota, Dr. Sandy Arthur uses cupping therapy as a powerful complement to chiropractic care and soft tissue treatment to relieve pain, improve blood flow, and help the body heal.
What is Cupping?
Cupping is a technique where cups are placed on the skin to create a gentle suction vacuum. Instead of pressing into the tissue (like massage), cupping decompresses the tissue, lifting it upward. This negative pressure pulls blood toward the surface, stretches the fascia and muscle layers, and creates space for circulation to improve.
Dr. Sandy uses two primary approaches: stationary cupping, where cups are left in place for a few minutes, and gliding cupping, where she moves the cups along the skin to cover a broader area. Both are effective, the choice depends on what your body needs
What Do Those Purple Circles Mean?
The marks that cupping sometimes leaves, ranging from light pink to dark purple, are not bruises. They don't involve impact or broken blood vessels the way a bruise does. In traditional Chinese medicine, the color indicates the state of the tissue. Darker marks suggest areas of stasis, where blood flow has been poor and oxygen delivery has decreased. The goal of cupping is to get that blood moving again, bring fresh oxygen to the area, and kick the healing process back into gear.
The marks typically fade within a few days to a week, and they tend to get lighter over repeated sessions as the tissue health improves.
What Can Cupping Therapy Help With?
Muscle tension and tightness
Back and neck pain
Shoulder pain and restricted mobility
Fascial adhesions
IT band tightness
Hip flexor tension
Recovery from athletic training
General inflammation reduction
Relaxation and stress relief
Does Cupping Hurt?
Cupping should not be painful. Most people describe it as a pulling or stretching sensation, unusual, but not uncomfortable. The intensity can be adjusted based on your comfort level and the sensitivity of the area being treated. Dr. Sandy will check in with you throughout to make sure you're feeling good.
How Is Cupping Used at Well Co.?
At Well Co., cupping doesn't happen in isolation. Dr. Sandy uses it as part of a broader treatment session — often alongside ART®, chiropractic adjustments, or other soft tissue techniques. The combination tends to produce better results than any single therapy alone, because each approach works on a different layer of the problem.
Book Cupping Therapy in Sarasota
Ready to try cupping? Well Co. Chiropractic is located at 3982 Bee Ridge Rd, Building H-I, Sarasota, FL 34233. Call 941-231-1001 or book your appointment online.