Cupping Therapy for Knee Pain

By Joyce Kawalchuk, L.Ac.

A knee injury can stop you in your tracks. Although the incidence of knee pain has been found to be slightly higher in females than in males, knee pain does not discriminate.

Whether you're an avid athlete or weekend warrior, the complexity of the knee joint makes it vulnerable to all types of injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, cupping therapy may be an effective treatment option to relieve knee pain, swelling, and restore range of motion. ​

Top 10 Most Common Knee Injuries

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the top 10 most common knee injuries are listed below:
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• Fractures
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury
• Dislocation
• Meniscal tears
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Tendon tears
• Collateral Ligament injuries
• Iliotibial Band Syndrome
• Posterior Cruciate Ligament injuries

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​The key to a successful treatment starts with identifying the true cause of an issue. If you're experiencing knee pain, it is best to consult with a healthcare practitioner sooner rather than later. Time is a crucial variable when managing pain and can greatly impact treatment outcomes.

Inflammation and Knee Pain

Inflammation is the most common source of knee pain. Structures in the knee can become inflamed following an acute tear or strain. Degenerative knee pain can be caused by loss of cartilage resulting in bone-on-bone friction over time. Treatment for both acute and chronic knee pain often begins with controlling and decreasing inflammation. 

How Cupping Therapy Works

Cupping as a treatment modality simultaneously modulates local and systemic blood flow by creating a vacuum suction that acts directly on the soft tissues it's applied to. As a result, it relieves tension forces from surrounding structures like muscles, tendons, and ligaments. On a deeper level, it encourages the chemical breakdown of cellular "buildup" or toxins, making it easier for the body to excrete. 

The result?

It decreases pain, inflammation, and swelling while increasing joint stability and range of motion.

In fact, a recent study found that cupping therapy managed osteoarthritis related knee pain to the same analgesic level of 650 mg of acetaminophen taken three times daily. Moreover, cupping resulted in minimal side effects, compared to the acetaminophen control group, which had greater side effects on the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Cupping Therapy as Part of Your Wellness Routine

Consider some of the following. Are you:
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• Sensitive to over-the-counter NSAIDs (results in digestive upset, headaches, ringing in ears etc.)
• Nagged by low-moderate knee pain and wish it would just go away
• Looking to rely less on pharmaceuticals for pain management
• Interested in igniting your body's natural ability to heal

​Incorporating cupping therapy into your wellness routine may benefit overall health and well-being. Both cupping and acupuncture help regulate the immune system, which plays a key role in the inflammatory response.

The immune system is responsible for managing inflammation in the body and acts as a central defense against infectious organisms and traumatic injury. A balanced immune system may also help underlying inflammatory conditions like osteoporosis to reduce likelihood of fractures.