Cupping (also known as Hijama in Arabic or Ba Guan in Chinese) has been practiced by different cultures throughout history, but the true origin of cupping remains uncertain. The practice of cupping is a technique where a vacuum is created in a cup, drawing the skin up and decompressing the layers of the epidermis and subcutaneous superficial fascia.

Massage therapy is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that can improve quality of life for patients with a variety of conditions. Having an evidence-based explanation of why massage therapy works can help develop a cohesive message of this conservative approach and the value that massage therapists deliver.

A multidisciplinary approach that supports lifestyle factors (sleep, stress, and physical activity) can have a profound effect on chronic disease progression. Depending on the person’s needs and goals massage therapists are able to incorporate a number of rehabilitation strategies for tendon pain based on patient-specific assessment findings.