Myofascial cupping is a soft tissue modality that uses negative pressure to gently lift the skin and underlying connective tissue. When cups are applied to the skin, the tissue is drawn up into the cup. This decompression increases localized circulation, relaxes soft tissues, and is thought to stimulate healing.

Dynamic cupping follows a similar process, but rather than leaving the cup on one area of the skin, the therapist glides cups along the tissue with a similar intent to IASTM / Graston Technique. In addition, both static and dynamic methods can incorporate active movement to address faulty movement patterns and improve myofascial tissue glide.