Cupping therapy unexpectedly gained popularity at the Rio Olympics! Many foreign athletes, including Michael Phelps, have started using cupping. Cupping is an ancient TCM therapy that has effects such as dispelling cold and dampness, promoting circulation, and invigorating blood flow.
What diseases are suitable for cupping? What do the colors of the cupping marks indicate? What precautions should be taken when cupping at home?
Cupping Therapy Gained Popularity at the Rio Olympics
On the 8th, Phelps led the U.S. team to win the gold medal in the men’s 4×100 meter freestyle relay. Foreign media noticed the “circular bruises” on his neck, shoulders, and back, which were actually red marks caused by cupping. It turns out that many American athletes, such as gymnast Alex Naddour and swimmer Natalie Coughlin, have a habit of cupping to relieve muscle fatigue.
Experts: Cupping Can Alleviate Muscle Tension
Ye Jing, a specially appointed team doctor from the Wuhan Sports Management Center, who comes from a family of TCM practitioners, stated in an interview that the team doctors for various Chinese sports teams are generally trained in TCM or sports medicine. They usually accompany the teams or athletes to provide timely treatment for injuries and, at the end of training, use physical methods such as massage, acupuncture, cupping, electrotherapy, and herbal hot compresses to relax and relieve muscle tension and fatigue.
Practical: How to Learn Time Control for Cupping
Generally speaking, the time from morning to noon is when the body’s Yang energy rises. Therefore, cupping during this time can help regulate dampness in the body. It is recommended to perform cupping at the hospital between 9 AM and 12 PM.
The duration of cupping varies depending on the size, material, and negative pressure of the cups. It is usually recommended to limit the cupping time to about 10 minutes in summer and 15-20 minutes in winter.
Note: Not Everyone is Suitable for Cupping
First of all, people with heart disease, skin diseases, blood disorders, various infectious diseases, and elderly individuals with particularly weak constitutions should use this method with caution. Individuals with low blood pressure should also avoid cupping to prevent exacerbating their conditions. Secondly, diabetic patients should avoid bloodletting cupping, as their skin may not heal easily, leading to other inflammatory complications. Additionally, cupping should not be performed in front of air conditioning or fan vents to prevent wind invasion. More importantly, pregnant women and women during menstruation should also avoid cupping to prevent worsening symptoms, and cupping may even trigger a threatened miscarriage in pregnant women.
Detailed Explanation: The Meaning of Cupping Marks
Comments from Netizens
Uninformed Chinese onlookers commented: It turns out that the Olympics is also a competition of TCM.
Little He: I want to ask if the Rio Olympics still needs volunteers, especially those who can do cupping!
Fang Wei: Little Phelps, do you understand scraping and cupping? You look weak, let me give you some moxibustion!
By the Seine River picking up stones: How many foreign friends will walk into tattoo shops tonight, “Quick, give me a tattoo like Phelps'” and then the tattoo artist will be confused.
Banana Superman: Be sure to tell Phelps not to go into the water after cupping, as dampness can easily invade.
Everyone is watching
Three more gold medals! The youngest “Five Gold King” of China is born
Loneliness and glory! On the field, he fights alone for his country
Clearly agreed to be ugly together, but you got plastic surgery in the army
(Comprehensive report from People’s Daily Health Channel, People’s Daily official Weibo, Sina Weibo)
Editor-in-Chief丨Yang Hongguang Editor丨Liu Yun
