Source: China National Radio, The Paper, etc.During the men’s team table tennis quarter-finals at the Hangzhou Asian Games, the Iranian team unexpectedly eliminated the traditional powerhouse Japan, winning the bronze medal after 65 years and becoming the biggest dark horse. The cupping marks on the backs of Iranian players also caught the attention of netizens, who joked: “So that’s how they opened up the Ren and Du meridians!”
Not only the Iranian team, but also many athletes from various countries experienced the cupping therapy, this mysterious Eastern power, during the Hangzhou Asian Games.The TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) massage clinichas become the most popular department in the Asian Games VillageOn September 28, reporters learned from the comprehensive outpatient department of the Hangzhou Asian Games Village that since the start of the games, the TCM massage clinic has been operating at full capacity, with each doctor treating twenty to thirty patients a day, and cupping being the most popular, fully booked every morning.Cupping therapy, also known as cupping therapy, is an ancient TCM treatment method. The principle is to create a negative pressure by removing air from the cup, promoting the expulsion of cold, dampness, and blood stasis trapped in the body through the process of cupping. The popularity of cupping abroad can be attributed to swimming superstar Michael Phelps, whose cupping marks left a deep impression on viewers during the Olympics. Since then, many foreign athletes have begun to try cupping, and this Asian Games is no exception.
Doctors in the TCM massage department of the Asian Games Village are providing massages for athletes.Hangzhou First People’s Hospital is responsible for the medical support of the Asian Games Village outpatient department. Since the opening of the village, the TCM massage clinic has become the hottest department.“Since the start of the games, the TCM massage clinic has been operating at full capacity, non-stop, with each doctor treating twenty to thirty patients a day, and appointments are fully booked before noon. Foreign athletes are more familiar with TCM than we might think, many foreign athletes come in and directly ask if there are cupping services available.” Dr. Wu Juecan from the TCM massage clinic stated, “There really is no end to cupping.”Cupping helps accelerate recovery from sports injuriesbut it is not suitable for everyoneDoctors in the TCM massage department stated that the reason for the popularity of cupping in the Asian Games Village is not just a trend among athletes, but a necessity for their bodies—intense competitions lead to muscle soreness. Especially for swimmers, who are often in the water, their bodies are prone to cold and dampness. Cupping can help expel the cold and dampness that invade the body, aiding in the recovery from sports injuries and positively impacting their performance in competitions.Dr. Wu Juecan stated that cupping has effects such as unblocking meridians, promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling and pain, and dispelling wind and cold. It is generally used for neck, shoulder, back, hip, and leg pain, colds, headaches, coughs, stomach pain, and abdominal pain. However, while cupping is beneficial, it is not suitable for everyone. For example, those with skin lesions, patients with thrombocytopenia, elderly individuals with very weak constitutions, and pregnant women should avoid cupping on the abdomen and lower back.
Popular Videos
For more exciting videos, please scan the QR codeFollow Xinhua Daily Telegraph Video AccountProduced by: Lu Gang | Edited by: Zhao Cen | Proofread by: Zhang Hui
