I've been using these Chinese vacuum cups for four months now, and so far, I haven't had a TOS flare. So I'm wondering is it.....

A) A coincidence

B) I've just been very careful limiting my activities

C) My physical condition has improved, or...

D) Cupping tight muscles daily helps them relax, so it kind of nips things in the bud, before a flare comes on.

I think it's probably a little bit of all of these, but I'm really starting to wonder if the last one is a big part of it. Maybe by cupping tight muscles right away, it helps them relax before a flare comes on. Four months really isn't that long, so maybe as more time passes, I'll have a better answer.

Friday, I was riding in the car with my wife, driving on a windy road, and she took some of the corners too fast, so I was in pain when I got home. I was afraid it might cause a flare. It has in the past.

Right away, I started cupping the tight muscles, and left the cups on until they relaxed. Yesterday, I felt pretty good. My streak is still alive.

Hi Coop, I think you found a way to disrupt the nerve signals to the brain calming the spasms.
Using a hot tub, massages, a poke and pressure on the trigger spots help me. Oh. And a tennis ball between the traps and a wall digging into the tight spots.

I love Biofreeze on the roller ball to dig in too.
Nice to read you and the new info!
Di

So remind us what areas you cup?

Or a url to where you already said.

I cup pretty much anywhere I can make a cup, or cups, stay on. The neck, shoulders, ribcage, thoracic outlet, back, arms, legs. If it's tight and doesn't move well, I'll cup it. I don't have any training in this. I just play around with it.

I just posted a cupping video on my YouTube channel, if anyone is interested. I plan to do a few more in the future. The link is below.

That is so great that it works for you..

Did you ever see this video where the lady slides the cups w/lube on skin for a massage action also?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mlw7u0H7ZE
She explains how it works to move & flush out the stagnate toxins and brings fresh blood & fluids into the areas.

For those with chronic & esp long trem tightness and spams something like this is what is needed to help clear out junk.

I really think this is something that many with TOS/myofascial symptoms/pain should try, might save on so many PT sessions and not that costly to buy a set of cups.

Thank you for turning me on to cupping. I like it so far.
I also discovered that my teres major is an issue and googled it and found a PT that helps pitchers with it! He recommended these triggerpoint massage balls *edit* and I just love them. I've tried a zillion tools and balls and these balls are the best thing since sliced bread. He also recommended using a "reaction ball" which is for baseball players, it's like 6 bucks and has little nubs, and that little puppy does good work too!

This TOS thing is a life-changer but I am finally starting to win and get my life back. I've been battling since 1995, thank God that there are some good self-treatment tools nowadays.

Cool. I'm glad you're finding some things that help and that you like the cupping.

Here's a couple of new cupping videos I did, if anyone is interested. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YQfgKqCERk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_nPItIECcM