Cupping therapy has been used to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, and accelerate recovery for thousands of years — and modern clinical practice continues to validate what ancient practitioners observed: targeted suction applied to soft tissue produces real, measurable therapeutic effects. At Flowers Chiropractic, dry cupping therapy is available as a standalone treatment and as a complement to chiropractic adjustment for patients dealing with muscle pain, tension, and recovery challenges. Dr. Taylor M. Watkins, D.C. offers cupping therapy in Flowers Plantation and the Clayton, NC area for patients of all ages and activity levels. Call (919) 553-6711 or Schedule Appointment to get started.
What Is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is a soft tissue treatment in which specially designed cups are placed on the skin and a vacuum seal is created — either by heat or by a mechanical pump — that draws the skin and superficial muscle tissue upward into the cup. This suction effect decompresses the underlying tissue, increasing local blood flow, lifting fascial adhesions, and creating a mechanical stimulus that promotes the body’s natural healing and recovery processes.
At Flowers Chiropractic, Dr. Watkins uses dry cupping — cups applied directly to the skin using a suction mechanism, without any incisions or bloodletting. This is the most widely practiced modern form of cupping and the appropriate choice for musculoskeletal and recovery-focused applications.
Cups may be left stationary on the treatment area for several minutes, or they may be glided across the tissue while maintaining suction — a technique known as sliding or dynamic cupping. The approach used depends on the condition being treated and the clinical goals for that session.
How Cupping Therapy Works
Most manual therapies — massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy — apply compressive force to soft tissue. Cupping is unique in that it applies the opposite: a decompressive, tensile force that lifts the tissue rather than pressing into it. This distinction matters clinically because different layers of tissue respond differently to these opposing forces, and cupping reaches structures that compression-based techniques cannot access as effectively.
When suction is applied, the skin, superficial fascia, and muscle tissue are drawn upward. This lifting action separates fascial layers that have become adhered — either from acute injury, chronic overuse, or postural stress — and creates a localized increase in blood flow. The increased circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to the treated tissue while flushing out metabolic waste products, including the pro-inflammatory compounds that accumulate in areas of chronic muscle tension and dysfunctional soft tissue.
The mechanical stimulus of cupping also activates local pain-modulating mechanisms — similar to the gate control theory of pain — reducing the perception of pain in the treated area. For patients dealing with chronic muscle pain or hypersensitive myofascial tissue, this neurological effect can be as clinically significant as the circulatory and mechanical benefits.
The characteristic marks that cupping leaves — circular discolorations ranging from pink to deep purple — are not bruises in the traditional sense. They are a result of the suction drawing blood from the deeper capillary beds into the superficial tissue. The color and duration of these marks reflects the degree of stagnation and restriction in the treated tissue: heavily congested areas typically produce darker marks that fade more slowly. These marks are painless, temporary, and resolve on their own within three to seven days.
Conditions and Situations Where Cupping Therapy Is Used
Muscle Pain and Chronic Tension
Chronic muscle tension — the kind that accumulates from years of postural stress, repetitive movement, or inadequate recovery from physical activity — creates layers of fascial adhesion and reduced tissue mobility that respond well to the decompressive force of cupping. Stationary cupping over areas of dense, restricted muscle tissue lifts and separates fascial layers, increases local circulation, and reduces the pain sensitization that chronic tension creates. Many patients notice significant softening and pain reduction in chronically tight areas within one to three sessions.
Myofascial Trigger Points
Myofascial trigger points — the hypersensitive, contracted knots within muscle tissue that produce both local pain and referred pain patterns at distant sites — are among the most common targets for cupping therapy. The suction applied over or near a trigger point creates a sustained mechanical stimulus that promotes relaxation of the contracted muscle fibers. Cupping is frequently used in combination with trigger point therapy and dry needling at Flowers Chiropractic for patients with complex myofascial pain presentations.
Athletic Recovery and Performance
Cupping therapy gained widespread public attention when elite Olympic athletes appeared with the characteristic circular marks during the 2016 Rio Games. The application is straightforward: intense athletic training and competition leave muscles in a state of metabolic stress — depleted of oxygen, congested with lactic acid and inflammatory byproducts, and prone to delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Cupping accelerates the clearance of these metabolic byproducts, promotes circulation, and reduces recovery time between training sessions or competitive events.
For active adults and athletes in the Flowers Plantation and Clayton, NC area — runners, CrossFit members, competitive cyclists, team sport athletes, and recreational weekend warriors — cupping therapy as part of a regular recovery protocol can meaningfully extend the longevity and quality of training.
Sports Injuries and Soft Tissue Injury Recovery
Acute and subacute soft tissue injuries — muscle strains, ligament sprains, contusions, and the diffuse soft tissue damage that follows car accidents — benefit from cupping therapy as part of a structured recovery plan. In the early stages of healing, cupping promotes the increased circulation that tissue repair requires. As healing progresses, cupping addresses the fascial restrictions and scar tissue organization that can develop if soft tissue is not mobilized during recovery. Learn more: Sports Injuries · Auto Accident Injury Care
Back Pain and Lumbar Muscle Tension
The muscles of the lumbar spine — the erector spinae, quadratus lumborum, and the deep multifidus — are among the most chronically overloaded structures in the human body. Postural stress, prolonged sitting, repetitive lifting, and the compensatory patterns that develop around spinal dysfunction all contribute to chronic tension and restricted mobility in the low back musculature. Cupping therapy applied to the lumbar region provides deep decompression of these muscles and the overlying thoracolumbar fascia — a thick connective tissue sheet that is a significant contributor to low back pain and stiffness when restricted. Learn more: Back Pain
Neck and Upper Thoracic Pain
Chronic neck pain and upper thoracic pain — the dense, persistent tension that accumulates between the shoulder blades, at the base of the skull, and across the upper trapezius — are among the most prevalent musculoskeletal complaints in patients who spend significant time at a desk or looking at screens. Cupping therapy over the cervical and upper thoracic regions addresses the fascial restrictions and circulatory stagnation that compression-based massage often cannot fully resolve. Combined with chiropractic adjustment of the cervical and thoracic spine, cupping provides both structural and soft tissue relief for patients with complex neck and upper back presentations. Learn more: Neck Pain
Prenatal and Postpartum Recovery
Cupping therapy is safe and effective for use during pregnancy and postpartum recovery, with appropriate technique modifications. During pregnancy, cupping can address the lumbar, hip, and upper thoracic tension that accumulates as postural demands change. Postpartum, cupping supports recovery of the lumbar and sacral musculature after delivery and helps address the thoracic and cervical tension that develops from nursing positions and infant carrying. Dr. Watkins integrates cupping into prenatal and postpartum care at Flowers Chiropractic as part of a comprehensive soft tissue approach. Learn more: Prenatal Chiropractic & Webster Technique
Headaches Arising from Cervical and Suboccipital Tension
Many tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches — those that originate in the cervical spine and suboccipital musculature — have a significant soft tissue component that responds to cupping. Stationary cupping at the base of the skull and over the upper cervical muscles relieves the tension that feeds headache cycles, complementing the chiropractic adjustment that addresses the underlying joint dysfunction. Learn more: Headaches · Migraines
What to Expect During a Cupping Session
Assessment. Dr. Watkins will assess the target area before applying cups — identifying the specific regions of restriction, pain, and reduced tissue mobility that will guide cup placement. For most patients, cupping is incorporated into a broader treatment session that also includes chiropractic adjustment and potentially other soft tissue work.
Positioning and setup. You will be positioned comfortably with the treatment area exposed — typically lying face down for back and shoulder work, or seated for cervical and upper thoracic treatment. The skin is cleaned and, when sliding cupping is planned, a light massage oil or lotion is applied to allow the cups to move smoothly across the skin.
Cup application. Cups are applied to the skin and suction is created using a hand pump or squeeze mechanism. You will feel an immediate pulling sensation as the tissue is drawn into the cup. Dr. Watkins adjusts the level of suction to a degree that is effective but within your comfort range — the treatment should feel like a firm, deep pull, not pain.
During treatment. Stationary cups are typically left in place for five to ten minutes. Sliding cupping, when used, involves moving the cups in targeted patterns across the treatment area while maintaining suction. Most patients describe the sensation as a firm pulling or pressure — notably different from the compressive sensation of massage, but not painful. Some patients find it deeply relaxing.
After treatment. The cups are removed by releasing the suction seal. You may notice circular marks on the skin — ranging from pink to deep red or purple depending on the degree of congestion in the treated tissue. These marks are not bruises, they are not painful, and they fade within three to seven days. Mild skin tenderness in the treated area for 24 to 48 hours is normal. Staying well hydrated after a cupping session supports the clearance of metabolic byproducts mobilized by treatment.
Cupping Therapy as Part of Integrated Care at Flowers Chiropractic
Cupping therapy is most effective when it is part of a coordinated care approach rather than a standalone intervention. At Flowers Chiropractic, cupping is used as a complement to chiropractic adjustment — addressing the soft tissue environment that surrounds and influences the joints Dr. Watkins is adjusting. Tight, restricted musculature and fascial adhesions limit the effectiveness of an adjustment and increase the rate at which restrictions recur. Releasing that soft tissue environment before or alongside the adjustment produces more durable outcomes.
Cupping is also frequently combined with myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and dry needling for patients with complex soft tissue presentations. The combination of decompressive cupping, targeted needling, and hands-on myofascial work covers the full spectrum of soft tissue pathology — fascial adhesion, trigger point hyperirritability, and intramuscular dysfunction — in a single coordinated treatment.
Serving Flowers Plantation, Clayton, Smithfield, and Surrounding Communities
Flowers Chiropractic is located at 14 Flowers Crossroads Way, Suite 106, Clayton, NC 27527, in the heart of the Flowers Plantation community. Cupping therapy is available to patients from Flowers Plantation, Clayton, Smithfield, Selma, Wilson’s Mills, Archer Lodge, Knightdale, Wendell, and the broader Johnston and Wake County region.
Whether you are an athlete looking to recover faster, a desk worker dealing with chronic neck and upper back tension, a new mother navigating postpartum recovery, or a patient seeking soft tissue relief alongside your chiropractic care — cupping therapy at Flowers Chiropractic is delivered by a clinician who understands how to integrate it meaningfully into your overall care plan. Call (919) 553-6711 or Schedule Appointment online. Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wednesday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Friday 7:00 AM – Noon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cupping Therapy
Does cupping therapy hurt?
Cupping is not painful. The sensation during treatment is a firm pulling or tightening of the skin and superficial tissue as it is drawn into the cup — noticeably different from massage, but not painful for the vast majority of patients. Dr. Watkins adjusts the suction level to your comfort throughout the session. Mild skin tenderness in the treated area for 24 to 48 hours after treatment is normal and expected.
What causes the marks that cupping leaves on the skin?
The circular discolorations left by cupping are the result of suction drawing blood from deeper capillary beds into the superficial tissue — they are not bruises caused by impact. They are painless, resolve on their own within three to seven days, and their color reflects the degree of circulatory stagnation and fascial restriction in the treated area. Darker marks indicate more congested tissue and typically fade more slowly than lighter marks.
How many cupping sessions will I need?
That depends on what you are treating. For acute muscle tension or recovery purposes, a single session often produces noticeable improvement. For chronic conditions — longstanding fascial restriction, recurrent muscle pain, or complex soft tissue presentations — a course of four to six sessions spaced one to two weeks apart is more typical. Dr. Watkins will recommend a specific protocol based on your clinical presentation at your first visit.
Can cupping be combined with chiropractic adjustment in the same visit?
Yes — and at Flowers Chiropractic it frequently is. Cupping is often performed as part of a treatment session that also includes chiropractic adjustment, providing soft tissue preparation or follow-up to the structural work of the adjustment. The sequencing and combination of modalities are determined by your specific presentation and what Dr. Watkins determines will produce the best outcome for that visit.
Is cupping safe during pregnancy?
Cupping can be safely used during pregnancy with appropriate technique modifications. Certain areas are avoided during pregnancy — the abdomen and lower back in the first trimester, for instance — and suction levels are kept conservative. Dr. Watkins is experienced in prenatal soft tissue care and will adapt cupping technique appropriately for expecting patients. If you have any concerns, discuss them at your first visit.
What is the difference between dry cupping and wet cupping?
Dry cupping — the method used at Flowers Chiropractic — involves suction applied to unbroken skin. Wet cupping, a traditional practice used in some cultural contexts, involves small incisions in the skin prior to cupping to draw blood. Wet cupping is not used at Flowers Chiropractic and is not within the scope of chiropractic practice. All cupping at this office is dry cupping only.
Are the marks from cupping permanent?
No. The marks fade completely within three to seven days in most patients. Heavily congested tissue may produce marks that take up to ten days to fully resolve, but they always resolve. The marks do not scar, do not damage the skin, and cause no lasting change to skin appearance.