You wake up without that stiff neck. You reach for something on a high shelf without wincing. You finish your workout without spending the next two days paying for it.
That’s what cupping therapy does when it’s done right. It increases blood flow to areas that aren’t healing on their own, pulls inflammation out of deep tissue, and releases the kind of muscle tension that massage alone can’t touch.
Dry cupping uses controlled suction to lift your fascia and improve circulation where you need it most—your lower back, shoulders, knees, neck. It’s not about trends or Instagram posts. It’s about getting you back to the things you’ve been avoiding because they hurt too much.
Most people notice less pain after the first session. Within a few treatments, you’re moving differently. Sleeping better. Doing more without thinking about it first.
Medcare Therapy Services has been treating patients across Long Island for over a decade. We’re not new to North Bay Shore, and we’re not new to cupping therapy integrated with physical therapy.
Our therapists are licensed, trained in modern cupping techniques, and experienced in treating the conditions you’re actually dealing with—chronic back pain, sports injuries, arthritis, post-surgery recovery, muscle strains. We accept Medicare and most major insurance plans, and we offer home visits for patients who can’t easily get to an office.
North Bay Shore has plenty of pain management options, but not many combine professional cupping therapy with personalized physical therapy care. We do, and we’ve built our reputation on helping people get real results without the runaround.
First, your therapist evaluates your pain—where it is, how long you’ve had it, what makes it worse. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Your treatment plan is based on your specific condition.
During the session, cups are placed on targeted areas of your body. The suction pulls your skin and fascia upward, which increases blood flow, reduces inflammation, and helps release tight muscles. Most sessions last 15 to 30 minutes depending on the area being treated.
You might see some circular marks afterward. That’s normal—it’s not bruising, it’s increased circulation doing its job. They fade within a few days.
Cupping is often combined with other physical therapy techniques like manual therapy, stretching, or strengthening exercises. That’s because pain relief is just the start. The goal is to keep you moving well long after treatment ends.
Most patients start with two sessions per week, then taper off as symptoms improve. Some people feel relief immediately. Others need a few sessions before they notice a difference. Either way, you’ll know what to expect before we start.
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You’re getting licensed physical therapists who know how to use cupping therapy as part of a real treatment plan, not as a standalone gimmick. That means assessment, application, and follow-through.
We treat conditions like chronic lower back pain, neck stiffness, shoulder tension, knee pain from osteoarthritis, muscle strains, sports injuries, and post-surgical recovery. If you’ve been told to “just rest” or “try stretching,” but nothing’s actually helped, this is worth trying.
In North Bay Shore and surrounding areas like Bay Shore, Islip, Brentwood, and West Babylon, a lot of people are dealing with pain that limits their work, their hobbies, or just their ability to get through the day comfortably. You’re not alone in that. And you don’t have to keep pushing through it.
Cupping therapy improves circulation, helps with muscle relaxation, reduces inflammation, and speeds up recovery. When combined with physical therapy, it gives your body the tools it needs to heal properly instead of just masking symptoms.
We also offer home-based therapy for patients who have difficulty traveling. That’s not common, but it matters if you’re recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or just don’t have reliable transportation.
Yes, when it’s done by someone trained in myofascial decompression and physical therapy. Cupping increases blood flow to your lower back, which helps reduce inflammation and muscle tightness that contribute to chronic pain.
Studies show cupping can be effective for musculoskeletal pain, especially when combined with other treatments like stretching or strengthening exercises. It’s not a miracle cure, but most patients with chronic back pain report noticeable improvement after a few sessions.
The key is consistency. One session might give you temporary relief, but a treatment plan over several weeks is what leads to lasting results. We’ll adjust the approach based on how your body responds.
Dry cupping uses suction alone—no needles, no incisions, no heat applied to the skin. Cups are placed on your body and create a vacuum that lifts the tissue. It’s non-invasive and safe for most people.
Wet cupping involves small incisions and is less common in physical therapy settings. Fire cupping uses heat to create suction, but most modern practices use pump-based cups for better control and safety.
At Medcare, we use dry cupping because it’s effective for pain relief and muscle recovery without added risk. It integrates well with physical therapy techniques and gives us precise control over pressure and placement.
If cupping is part of your physical therapy treatment plan, it’s often covered under your PT benefits. We accept Medicare and most major insurance plans, and our team can verify your coverage before you start.
Coverage depends on your specific plan and whether cupping is considered medically necessary for your condition. We’ll walk you through that during your initial evaluation so there are no surprises.
Even if cupping itself isn’t separately covered, it’s usually included as part of your physical therapy session, which means you’re not paying extra for it. That’s one of the advantages of getting cupping from a licensed PT practice instead of a standalone wellness spa.
Some people feel less pain and better mobility after the first session. Others need three to five sessions before they notice a real difference. It depends on your condition, how long you’ve had it, and how your body responds to treatment.
Acute injuries—like a pulled muscle or recent strain—tend to respond faster. Chronic pain that’s been building for months or years usually takes longer to resolve because there’s more tissue damage and compensation patterns to address.
We’ll give you a realistic timeline based on your evaluation. Most treatment plans run six to eight weeks with two sessions per week initially, then tapering off as you improve. You’re not locked into anything, and we adjust based on your progress.
The most common side effect is temporary circular marks where the cups were placed. They look like bruises but aren’t painful, and they fade within three to seven days. Some people feel mild soreness in the treated area, similar to post-workout muscle fatigue.
Serious side effects are rare when cupping is performed by a trained professional. There’s a small risk of skin irritation if you have sensitive skin, but we’ll check for that during your evaluation.
Cupping isn’t recommended if you’re on blood thinners, have certain skin conditions, or are pregnant. We’ll review your medical history before starting treatment to make sure it’s safe for you. If there’s any concern, we’ll recommend alternative therapies that achieve similar results.
Yes. Cupping works well alongside chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, and other physical therapy techniques. In fact, combining treatments often leads to better outcomes than doing any one thing alone.
Let us know what else you’re doing so we can coordinate your care. For example, if you’re seeing a chiropractor for alignment issues, cupping can help release the muscle tension that’s pulling your spine out of place.
We also adjust our approach if you’re taking pain medication, doing at-home exercises, or recovering from a recent procedure. The goal is to support what’s already working and fill in the gaps where you’re still struggling. Communication between providers makes that easier, so don’t hesitate to share your full treatment picture.
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