I don’t know about you, but what a fantastic 2024 Olympic Games we have had this summer. You may have seen several dark circles on swimmers and other athletes at this year’s Olympics (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehMOAKJhdJc). The is where an athlete has had cupping. There are a variety of benefits to cupping, increased healing, decreased tension and help increase flexibility.
Cupping may ease symptoms of arthritis, back pain, neck pain, knee pain, should pain, asthma and other breathing issues, headaches and migraines.
Cupping is an ancient therapy which aims to increase blood flow to the affect area. It is used to relieve pain, muscle soreness and speed up recovery. It enhances and increases blood circulation and reduces inflammation.
It involves creating suction on the skin using a glass, ceramic, bamboo, or plastic cup. The cupping technique lifts the tissue up, relaxes the muscle and allows the muscle fibre to slightly move apart. This increases the range of movement and flexibility of the muscle area.
Cupping is used to increase blood circulation. When cupping is applied to the skin it creates a partial vacuum which reduces the pressure on the skin and tissues underneath. This effect promotes and increases the blood flow which stimulates the body’s healing process.
You may feel more tired after a cupping session and may even experience flu-like symptoms (headache or general body aches). This is a temporary reaction by your immune system to the waste that cupping helps release.
It is often used as part of an Acupuncture treatment. Rebecca Adlington talks about using acupuncture to help reduce pain, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTxXwy1aNzk
