Why Are Pro-Athletes Turning To Cupping?
Article by: Daisy Moss
While a cool down and a massage the morning after might’ve cut it 10 years ago, the world of recovery has moved on in professional sports. Nowadays it’s all about cryotherapy and ice baths, but another on-trend recovery method making a return to the recovery scene is cupping.
So what are the benefits of cupping, and which professional athletes are calling on the advantages of cupping?
What is cupping?
Cupping is an ancient healing therapy that is believed to have been used for thousands of years, with its origins being traced back to early Chinese medical procedures. The cupping process involves placing cups over areas of the skin which use suction to tightly pull the skin, subsequently increasing blood flow to the cupped area.
Cupping works similarly to a massage in the sense that both release tension. However, cupping is considered to promote more natural healing while a massage involves direct pressure.
For those interested in the science behind cupping, the suction opens capillaries in the treated area. Once these capillaries have been opened, the body recognises a need to send fresh blood to the area, this fresh blood flow to the treated area is the cause of the red, bruise-like marks left on the skin after cupping treatment.
Increasing blood flow to an injured area of the body can have many benefits.
The benefits of cupping
The main reason both everyday people and professional athletes turn to cupping is to reduce muscle pain or soreness. For athletes, cupping can help to ensure they spend more time competing and less time out injured.
Many athletes will experience muscle soreness or tightness in the 24-48 hours following physical activity in what is referred to as delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS). If you’ve ever experienced DOMS, it’s probably due to working your muscles to the point where they experience microscopic tears, these tears and then repaired causing the muscle to grow which is why DOMS is so common with those who are trying to gain muscle.
Alleviating DOMS is all down to blood flow which is where cupping comes in. The increased blood flow as a result of cupping leads to muscles getting back to their normal selves at a quicker rate, eliminating muscle soreness in the process.
Other benefits of cupping include treating pain caused by trapped nerves, reducing headaches or migraines and treating acne.
Which pro athletes are turning to cupping?
Michael Phelps
The 28-time Olympic medalist has been using cupping since 2014 and was one of the first athletes of recent times to display his use of cupping. Phelps attracted attention during the 2016 Olympics when he competed with dark red circles covering his shoulders and traps.
Conor McGregor
UFC star Conor McGregor is one of the most notable advocates of cupping, regularly posting training photos to his social media showing off his muscley physique and cupping scars.
McGregor even turned to cupping after being knocked off his road bike by a car last year. Posting a photo of himself undergoing cupping therapy to his Instagram page, McGregor wrote, “Got a bang of a car full speed. Feel good tho but defo some trauma. Appreciate the help from my long time masseuse and friend, doctor pain @vasile_bria_dr_pain”
The Rock
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s peak athletic years may be behind him, but the WWE star-turned-Hollywood actor is still looked up to by many who are looking to pack on some size.
The Rock’s love for weight training can be seen by just looking at the size of his arms, so it’s no surprise that he’s turned to cupping. The Rock shared his first cupping experience on Instagram, showing off over 20 circular marks on his back, also stating that the marks looked “more gnarly” than they felt.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Some would assume that Cristiano Ronaldo was no stranger to cosmetic surgery in Manchester, Madrid and Turin during his football career. But his time on the treatment table in Saudi Arabia appears to have been spent enhancing his recovery more than his appearance.
That’s because Ronaldo was recently spotted sporting small, light brown circles on the back of his neck during a game for Al-Nassr, looking similar to the type of marks that would be left behind as a result of cupping treatment.
About The Author: Daisy Moss, is a yoga loving writer who specialises in women’s health, nutrition, fitness wellness and lifestyle. She can be found often enjoying a spin class or even making her famous protein brownies.
