Why Professional Athletes and Amateurs Alike are Praising this Ancient Therapy
With high-performing athletes and A-List celebrities sporting their eye-catching round marks on TV and social media, it’s no surprise that their secret health strategy has come into the limelight. Cupping therapy is one of the nation’s most growing therapeutic practices – and for good reason. This safe and effective technique can relieve pain, repair muscles, and even enhance athletic performance and an excellent part of sports therapy.
At the Muscle Doc Method, cupping therapy has always been integral to our rehabilitation and performance enhancement care. With this simple yet transformative technique, we achieve faster, better results for our athletes and general patients.
Cupping therapy has been in practice for thousands of years, beginning in the early medical traditions of the Arabic and Chinese cultures. After its prolific use in the 2016 Olympics, however, cupping went viral and soon became a household name. Since then, millions of people (from athletes to the elderly) have sought out cupping to help relieve their symptoms and achieve their best health.
If you are looking for a solution for your pain, muscle tightness, limited range of motion, injury rehabilitation, or general health, it’s time to consider cupping therapy.
What Is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy uses small, handheld cups and the science of vacuums to release tension and increase blood flow in muscles and fascia. This therapy is typically done on areas of large muscle groups such as the back, hamstrings, and calves, but can be used in many areas of the body.
Cupping has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for centuries, along with acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. Ancient Arab doctors also discovered the benefits of cupping and created their version of the therapy, “Hijama.”
Today, cupping has transformed into a modern health technology while still holding on to its ancient roots. It is most sought after by professional athletes, active individuals, and those with pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, back pain, or arthritis.
How Cupping Therapy Works
Although it may seem like a complicated and coordinated therapy, cupping is actually a simple technique that uses basic principles of physics to heal the body.
At the Muscle Doc Method, we use both glass cups for “fire cupping” and manual suction cups. With glass cups, we safely use a flame to create a vacuum in the cup before applying that cup to the skin and muscle. This vacuum lifts the skin, fascia, and superficial muscles to allow for increased circulation in the targeted areas. Manual suction cups work similarly, but a pump is used to create the vacuum rather than a flame.
While the cups are in place, old and stagnant blood is drawn out of the small vessels of the muscles and skin and new blood can flush in. Old blood shows up as red or purple marks on the skin post-cupping and is later cleared by the body. This provides a deep detoxifying effect while also allowing fresh, oxygenated blood to heal and nourish tired, sore muscles.
The Muscle Doc Method Difference: Advanced Cupping Therapy Techniques
Active Release Cupping Therapy
With this technique, cupping is combined with therapeutic and targeted movement strategies to rehabilitate entire muscle groups. While cups are in place, athletes are led through specific stretches and exercises to activate and release areas of blockage and increase range of motion.
Hijama Cupping
Cupping Therapy for Athletes
Cupping has a wide range of uses, but its claim to fame lies in sports rehabilitation and performance enhancement. Athletes such as Michael Phelps, Alexander Naddour, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green (along with other celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Victoria Beckham, and Gwyneth Paltrow) proudly show off their cupping marks to the public. Cupping has become a popular therapy in Cross Fit, running, bodybuilding, and volleyball circles.
The general reason for cupping’s popularity among professional athletes is simple: Cupping helps improve the body’s ability to be its best, whether that’s through healing an injury, increasing strength, or facilitating recovery. As a competitive athlete, any advantage or way to improve your performance can mean the difference between good and best. Still, there are many more specific reasons why athletes choose cupping as a stable therapy. Let’s review some of these highlights:
The Top Reasons Olympic Athletes Use Cupping Therapy to Improve Endurance
- Cupping increases blood flow and circulation to the muscles and joints.
- Cupping relieves pain, tension, stiffness, and rigidity in the muscles.
- Cupping enhances the body’s detoxification process.
- Cupping speeds up recovery time after heavy training.
- Cupping promotes the healing of injuries.
- Cupping increases range of motion and muscular capacity.
- Cupping stimulates energy, vitality, and lengthens endurance.
- Cupping helps the body perform better.
- Cupping relaxes the mind and encourages mental focus and stability.
