The USA medal count for the 2016 Rio Olympics was outstanding. There were numerous types of competitors. They were extremely conditioned.
Some of the athletes were bruised with dark circles on a variety of locations on their bodies. At first, the bruising was a little startling. It had to be medical. There were more than just a couple of athletes with the same bruising.
The circular bruises on their muscles were a result of the, message therapy, Cupping Method.
It is also called Cupping Therapy. This technique isn't new. This has been practiced all over the world for hundreds of years. The bruising kept the technique from becoming too popular, though.
Special cups are strategically placed on different muscles. A suction is generated in order to create blood flow and stimulation.
The cupping method treats pain, inflammation, and circulation. It can sensually promote well being, relaxation, and deep tissue message healing.
"The cups resemble miniature gold fish bowls made out of glass, bamboo, earthenware, and sometimes silicon (www.webmd.com)."
This method hasn't been completely hard wired with solid effects. The results are somewhat controversial. Research studies haven't connected a steady stream of documented ramifications. The method dates back to ancient cultures from China, Egypt, and other places. A textbook entitled, "Ebers Papyrus", traversed the technique in 1,550 B.C.
Repeat Gold Medal Olympian Micheal Phelps wasn't the first one to try the cupping method.
"Cupping has been characterized as pseudoscience. There is no good evidence that it has any benefit on health and there are some concerns it may be harmful (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupping_therapy)."
Although, there is no obvious, real benefits from the cupping method, it still sprung up during the recent 2016 Rio Olympics.
In the 2008 book, written by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst, "Trick or Treatment", it was written that, "no evidence exists of any beneficial effects of cupping for any medical condition."
Why is it not proven to be effective you might ask. The effectiveness of cupping therapy is difficult to determine as it is difficult to construct double blind or placebo-controlled clinical trials.
It is reported that cupping may result in bruising, or skin infection. The discoloration forms via blood capillary expansion. Excessive fluid accumulates in tissues. Then, the blood vessels rupture.
Individuals have been performing the action for over 3,000 years.
There are two types of cupping: dry cupping and wet cupping.
-Dry cupping- the suction of skin with controlled bleeding.
-Wet cupping- common cupping which involves creating a small area of low air pressure to epithelial tissue.
Wet cupping was the method displayed in the 2016 Olympics. The cups can be a small variety of shapes.
There are cupping balls or cupping bells. The cups range 1 to 3 inches (25 to 76 millimeters) across the opening.
Today, plastic and glass are the most common materials used. The ancient cupping therapy involved the horn, pottery, bronze, and bamboo cups.
There is a low air pressure required. Pressure is created by heating the cup, which, in turn, heats the air inside of it. After the heating, apply scented oils, and then place the cup against the skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it contracts and sucks the skin slightly inside.
Vacuums can be created with mechanical suction pumps acting through valves located at the top of the cup.
Rubber cups are also available. They squeeze the air out and adapt to uneven or bony surfaces.
Depending on the specific treatment, skin marking is common after the cups are removed. Usually, the marking may be a simple red ring that disappears quickly. The discoloration left by the cups is normally from dragging them, while suctioned, from one muscle to another. Dragging is done in order to break down muscle fiber. Treatments should not be too agonizing.
Cupping was mentioned in the news recently as being used in a manner that helps increase blood flow.
https://nccih.nih.gov/news/cupping
Cupping was also in the news recently, and was implicated as a relaxation practice in a variety of sports.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/rio-2016-cupping-what-is-it-olympics-athletes-suction-cups-skin-marks-a7178731.html
"Cupping therapy treatment creates hyper-localized suction on an athlete’s body. The hope is to help mobilize blood flow, drawing more blood to over-used muscles to help relieve muscle pain and promote faster healing ( http://www.si.com/tech-media/2016/08/11/cupping-therapy-michael-phelps-rio-olympics)."
Overall, the bruising looks painful, but some popular/normal massages can be painful, also. "Normal", as in a back message applied with hands. The pain is meant to target specific muscle groups for long term purposes. Cupping is another alternative. If you are up for new and adventurous relaxation techniques, voila.
Consult with your licensed medical
practitioner before undergoing Cupping Therapy.
