Can it really improve your recovery and performance, and are there other ways to achieve the potential benefits?
Although cupping was well publicised during this summer’s Olympic games, it is a traditional form of Chinese medicine that has been used for 2000 years – mostly in Asia but also in Egypt (known as Hijama in Egypt) and Scandinavia too.
Athletes will often go to extreme lengths to improve their performance, prevent injuries and to gain an edge over their competitors.
For athletes who have been diagnosed with a specific injury or have had to undergo a surgical process, cupping therapy can be used to help their body heal faster. This therapy helps to eliminate toxins, relieve congestion, improve circulation and relieve muscle tension.
Cupping can even be used to help decrease an athlete’s recovery time after they have undergone strenuous training. The fact that cupping can help stimulate the chemical breakdown of any toxins within the body, means that athletes who need their muscles and tissues to heal quickly can expect this to happen when undergoing cupping therapy.
Since cupping also helps to reduce any inflammation within the body, athletes can expect an improvement in their blood flow, which in turn is beneficial when it comes to boosting their body’s immune system.
A few specific conditions that cupping can address in athletes include plantar fasciitis, hamstring strains, sore muscles, and back pain.
How is cupping performed?
Cupping therapy works by applying a glass cup to the skin in order to create a vacuum. The sizes of the cups vary in size from 3-10cm in diameter and the number needed is dependent on the patient’s symptoms and the body location involved – and therefore becomes a therapist decision.
There are several different types of cupping techniques available. The cups are generally located at sites where there is an abundance of muscle tissue such as the back, shoulders, thighs, abdomen and calf muscle.
The cups are applied for five to ten minutes at a single treatment session.
The therapist will determine the most effective technique for the individual and each patient may prefer a specific cupping approach. A partial vacuum (suction) effect can be created in the cup by applying it to the skin hot and allowing it to cool. However, cups with air suction pumps attached can also be used.
Cupping therapy can help to improve joint movement, arthritic pain and lower back pain. Due to the increased blood flow, it is not uncommon for the patient to feel warmth close to the applied cup and therefore sweating to occur. But this will soon settle after treatment.
Interested in learning more about dry cupping or scheduling a treatment- feel free to reach out at 089 273 4307.
