What is common between Olympics champion Michael Phelps and American Actress Kaley Cuoco? Cupping Therapy, of course. The cupping massage therapy trend has been going strong for the last few months after Michael Phelps was seen with cupping marks his chest and midriff.
What is Cupping?
Cupping therapy may be trendy right now, but it is not new. Cupping is a alternative therapy or massage technique that comes from the ancient Chinese and Middle Eastern medicine. In this therapy, the practitioner places glass or bamboo cups on the affected parts to create a local suction chamber.
The therapy is said to alleviate local inflammation and also heal knots and scar tissues. However, the treatment in quite painful. The suction cups are kept in place anywhere between five to fifteen minutes and the pain from the treatment may last up to a week later.
How does Cupping Treatment Work?
There are multiple methods in which the practitioner creates vacuum in the container sucks in the tissue. Fire Cupping uses fire inside the cup to create a vacuum. As the paper in the container on the skin burns out, the air cools down and contracts, thereby sucking in the skin and tissue in the area. Modern methods use suction cups to create the same effect instead of fire.
Is Cupping Safe?
The treatment is quite except that you may be left with some burns and bruises. The practitioner will recommend some ointments to relieve you of the side effects of the treatment.
There are a host of Hollywood personalities that vouch by the benefits of Cupping Therapy and have tried this massage therapy. Jennifer Anniston and Gwyneth Paltrow were also spotted sporting the bruise marks a couple of years back. Recently, Screem Queens actress Lea Michele took to Snapchat to flaunt her Cupping marks.
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