Have you ever been watching an NBA game (or scrolling through social media) when you notice one of your favorite athletes sporting several large, circle-shaped hickey marks on their back or shoulder area? 

Yes, those are real – and no, they aren’t birthmarks, a tattoo, or an injury. 

In fact, what you’re seeing is the aftermath of something we call cupping therapy, and it very well could be one of the biggest wastes of time in the fitness community today, despite its widespread use and support. 

But what is cupping therapy, exactly – and why do we recommend avoiding it? 

Cupping therapy might be the newest trend that everyone’s talking about, but we don’t want the Park Slope, Brooklyn community to get the wrong idea – so we’re spilling the beans on the cupping nonsense.

Trick or Treat: What Is Cupping Therapy? 

Cupping therapy is a form of alternative medicine in which a therapist places special cups on your skin to create suction – which is believed to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, and overall well-being. 

During a cupping session, your physical therapist leaves the cups in place for several minutes (or moves them around in a gliding motion) before releasing the suction and freeing the cups from your skin.

The marks left behind aren’t painful and are only temporary, though they often look like circular bruises.

While some people report positive effects from cupping, scientific evidence has yet to overwhelmingly support this idea and it’s very possible that those who see results could be experiencing a placebo effect. 

At PhysioRX, we’re not impressed by the empty promises of cupping, and we’re here to shed some light on why cupping therapy is useless and what your body really needs to repair, recover, and rebuild itself. 

Don’t Get Sucked In: Why Is Cupping a Waste of Time? 

There’s no other way to frame it. Cupping therapy just isn’t effective (or proven) enough for us to waste our time mastering or perfecting it – in fact, our training and therapy programs don’t even include cupping. 

I mean, let’s be honest – besides leaving those hickey marks on your back, does it really do anything? 

Massages, cupping, electric stimulation, ultrasound technology – these things might feel good in the moment, but they’re not going to help you overcome chronic pain or get you back in the gym pain-free. 

Only an active approach can help you do that. 

Study after study all show the same thing – these ‘passive’ treatments feel good in the short term, but have no effect on your improvement in the long term. And, therefore, we don’t recommend doing them. 

In fact, we don’t even offer cupping at our physical therapy clinic – or any of those ‘passive’ treatments mentioned above. We, instead, focus on the only thing that matters – and that means keeping you active.

Your Comeback Happens Off the Treatment Table

The treatment table gives us a good opportunity to understand the symptoms and issues you’re currently dealing with, but it’s not much of a treatment table at all – especially since it doesn’t do much else for us.

That’s why we always tell our clients – your comeback happens OFF the treatment table. 

You get better by actually using your body, not having something done to it. All those other treatments are nothing but a distraction. What you need is a customized game plan and accountability that skips the fluff.

That’s why, at PhysioRX, our goal is to put the BS to the side.

And get you back in the driver’s seat of your recovery journey.

We don’t have time for ‘what-ifs’ and ‘what-nots’ – we only have time for results, and that means helping you feel your absolute best, at all times. If that’s what you’re looking for, then you’ve found your match!

Fitness, Therapy, Nutrition: The 3 Benchmarks for Success

We live in a world saturated with quick fixes and ever-changing health trends. But with countless diets, exercise regimens, and wellness trends vying for attention, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters.

And what truly matters is physical activity, injury prevention, and a well-balanced diet.

Whether you're looking to build physical strength, achieve mental clarity, or nourish your body with the right nutrients, focusing on these three areas can guide you towards lasting success and development.

And with PhysioRX by your side, you can maximize those results – no matter what your goals are. 

3. Fitness & Personal Training

Whether you’re trying to gain muscle, lose weight, or simply stay in shape, nothing is more important than maintaining a regular exercise routine – even if it’s just for an hour (or even 30 minutes) each day. 

It strengthens muscles, improves cardiovascular health, enhances flexibility, boosts endurance, helps you maintain a healthy weight, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and improves overall physical function.

That’s why, at PhysioRX, we combine in-person personal training sessions with at-home, online coaching, which can be managed in our comprehensive mobile app – designed to create a long-term, healthier you.

2. Recovery & Physical Therapy

One of the best things you can do for your body is to keep it out of harm’s way by preventing injuries and nursing them ASAP when they occur – after all, the longer you wait, the worse the injury is going to get. 

With physical therapy, we help patients rehabilitate injuries, manage pain, prevent further damage, restore mobility and function, regain their independence, and return to their daily activities and normal lifestyle. 

That’s why, at PhysioRX, our entire coaching staff has Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate degrees in Exercise Science, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Training – ensuring your recovery is in good hands. 

1. Diet & Nutrition Coaching

A well-balanced diet, rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, supports the growth, repair, and maintenance of the human body – ensuring all organs and systems are operating efficiently. 

Without the right nutrients, the body can’t do what it does best. Over time, it becomes vulnerable to illness, fatigue, and poor performance – which can impact an individual’s mental and physical ability. 

At PhysioRX, we understand how important nutrition is to achieving your long-term goals – and that’s why we help you make smart decisions in the kitchen by managing your diet-related goals in our mobile app. 

PhysioRX: So Good, You’ll Forget What Cupping Therapy Is

Do you find the whole cupping therapy trend uninviting or sketchy? Have you had a negative cupping experience in the past? Do you want real results when losing weight, gaining muscle, or treating pain? 

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions above, then don’t panic – we’re here to help!

Welcome to PhysioRX – where we focus on the things that actually matter. 

With customized personal training, an active approach to physical therapy, and a well-balanced diet, we’ll have you living your best life – full of vitality, strength, and a newfound perspective on what life’s all about.

Call or text us today at +1 (646) 860-0670 to book and secure your free consultation with PhysioRX!