Cupping: Not a New Trend
The purple circles on Michael Phelps’ shoulders caught the attention of the media and audience alike. There were headlines asking what would have caused the circles to appear on Phelps’ shoulders. So, what caused it? Cupping therapy was the cause of the purple circles on his shoulders. While cupping therapy has been brought to the attention of the masses, it is not a new therapy. Cupping is an ancient medical technique of European, Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures has been practiced for thousands of years. While some consider the Chinese to be responsible for cupping, the earliest records date back to the ancient Egyptians around 1500 B.C. (This History of Cupping). The History of Cupping states “translations of hieroglyphics in the Ebers Papyrus, the oldest medical text book, detail the use of cupping for treating fever, pain, vertigo, menstrual imbalances, weakened appetite and helping to accelerate the healing crisis”. Incorporating cupping therapy in the rehabilitative period for patients can be beneficial and aid in speeding up recovery of sore and aching muscles.
Cupping therapy in general utilizes a cup to create a vacuum over a painful area, acupuncture point, or reflex zone (Lauche, Langhorst, Dobos & Cramer, 2013). These cups are typically made of bamboo, glass, or earthenware. …show more content…
The types of practitioners can vary from state to state and country. Per Cupping Therapy’s website, the following can perform cupping therapy: massage therapists, acupuncturists, physiotherapists, sports therapists, nurses, and doctors. Consumers can also purchase their own cupping set for personal use. After the 2016 Olympics aired, it was noticed that massage therapists locally sought licensure for cupping therapy. In clinical practice, cupping is regularly observed to bring pain relief and to increase a patient’s general feeling of wellbeing (Lauche et al.,
The purple circles on Michael Phelps’ shoulders caught the attention of the media and audience alike. There were headlines asking what would have caused the circles to appear on Phelps’ shoulders. So, what caused it? Cupping therapy was the cause of the purple circles on his shoulders. While cupping therapy has been brought to the attention of the masses, it is not a new therapy. Cupping is an ancient medical technique of European, Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures has been practiced for thousands of years. While some consider the Chinese to be responsible for cupping, the earliest records date back to the ancient Egyptians around 1500 B.C. (This History of Cupping). The History of Cupping states “translations of hieroglyphics in the Ebers Papyrus, the oldest medical text book, detail the use of cupping for treating fever, pain, vertigo, menstrual imbalances, weakened appetite and helping to accelerate the healing crisis”. Incorporating cupping therapy in the rehabilitative period for patients can be beneficial and aid in speeding up recovery of sore and aching muscles.
Cupping therapy in general utilizes a cup to create a vacuum over a painful area, acupuncture point, or reflex zone (Lauche, Langhorst, Dobos & Cramer, 2013). These cups are typically made of bamboo, glass, or earthenware. …show more content…
The types of practitioners can vary from state to state and country. Per Cupping Therapy’s website, the following can perform cupping therapy: massage therapists, acupuncturists, physiotherapists, sports therapists, nurses, and doctors. Consumers can also purchase their own cupping set for personal use. After the 2016 Olympics aired, it was noticed that massage therapists locally sought licensure for cupping therapy. In clinical practice, cupping is regularly observed to bring pain relief and to increase a patient’s general feeling of wellbeing (Lauche et al.,