A Practitioner’s Guide to Clinical Cupping

In this highly practical guide, acclaimed physical therapist and international lecturer Daniel Lawrence dispels some of the myths around cupping therapy and shows how it deserves to be viewed as a highly credible and versatile therapeutic tool in modern practice

Cupping-an ancient therapy which uses vacuum cups placed over the skin to treat a wide range of health conditions-appears in one of the earliest medical textbooks ever written and has been used in cultures around the world for thousands of years. Though much maligned by its perception as a “complementary therapy,” the emergence of modern research supporting the use of cupping to treat musculoskeletal conditions has seen it enjoy a huge resurgence in recent years.

You only need look at the unmistakable cupping marks visible on Olympic swimmers to see how valued it is within professional sport. An ancient treatment, a new way Presented with clear descriptions, color photographs, and QR codes linking to online video tutorials, Lawrence’s approach to dry cupping offers enhanced treatment outcomes and methods that are more readily accepted by Western medicine and modern manual therapy bodyworkers. These are techniques that deliver maximum benefit whilst minimizing some of the less desirable after-effects of more traditional methods.

Starting with the history of cupping, the book guides you through the principles of application with illustrated protocols for musculoskeletal conditions of the foot, ankle, lower leg, knee, thigh, hip, back, shoulder, wrist, hand, elbow, and neck.

Whether you are looking to treat Achilles tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or low back pain, Lawrence illustrates why cupping is a safe and effective choice of treatment. Where this book differs from others, however, is that it introduces the concept of using passive and active movement in a treatment. In this way, cupping can be viewed as an enhanced form of both massage and exercise rehabilitation. Couple this with a valuable understanding of how these techniques influence the nervous system and cupping now stands up to “evidence-based” scrutiny. This is modern cupping!

DANIEL LAWRENCE BSc, MCSP is a UK Chartered Physiotherapist, published author, and international lecturer. Lawrence holds separate post-graduate qualifications in musculoskeletal medicine and education. Having completed 10 years as a University lecturer for Plymouth University based in Truro, he now combines teaching and writing with running an NHS funded clinic in his local area. Daniel is also on the board of directors for RockTape UK, StickMobility UK and PhysioBooks Ltd. He has delivered lectures and workshops on tendon-related subjects throughout the UK including, Therapy Expo, COPA, private physio groups, the Shoulder Symposium, South West Seminars and the British Fascia Symposium 2018. Daniel frequently attends conferences as a guest lecturer and delivers bespoke training to professional groups. During 2020 and 2021, his cupping (RockPods(TM)) course became the most popular RockTape UK based course, as many professionals sought to extend their practice to offer this unique treatment.