Sports
PAGE 13
Sept. 2 2016
New cupping therapy embraced by professional athletes, students alike BY TOMMY CALLAGHAN Cupping, a form of massage therapy, has recently made appearances not only at the Olympics in Rio de Janiero but also among athletes here. Even though the ancient Chinese practice has been around for thousands of years, this is the first time the dark purple, circular bruises used by professional athletes from all over the world have become so prominent. Professional to high school Many athletes, including Gold Medalist Michael Phelps, have become fans of this technique and use it frequently. Another athlete that has come to adopt the strategy is junior volleyball player Emily Kleck. Since the middle of the summer, Kleck has been cupping. Cupping is considered a form of massage therapy, but it is actually the opposite of a massage. The purpose of a massage is to press into the skin and try to remove tension within muscles. The point of cupping is to get blood flowing, so instead of pressing into the muscles, the cups draw the skin up and bring blood to the surface, causing the purple circles. These cups do not act as suction cups by magic, though. In ancient China, practitioners would hold a flame into the cup so that the oxygen would be taken out by the fire. Once all the oxygen was depleted, the cups could be placed on skin and that would cause the skin to be drawn up, resulting in an increase in blood flow to the areas where cups had been placed. Current practices and procedures In a more modern age, other tools exist but they follow the same principle: taking the oxygen out of a cup-like instrument. One way is to use a material similar to silicone, shaped into a cup, folded outward and then popped back into place without oxygen. There is also a form in which cups are placed on the person’s back and a special
Emily Kleck receives cupping therapy on her back in preparation for a volleyball scrimmage. Though it may look intimidating, Kleck says cupping has helped her retain energy while playing. Bruises appear on Kleck’s back following treatment. This is a typical occurrence, and the bruises usually last several days. Photos submitted
tool sucks the air out; this is the most common form of cupping. Kleck’s experience When Kleck started doing this, it was in the middle of the summer, a time where club season is coming to an end and high school season is beginning. Playing volleyball year-round requires a major commitment in many ways, especially physically. Being a middle, constantly running and jumping, Kleck knows that better than anyone. When cupping was recommended, she did not know much about it but was happy to try if it could help improve her recovery time. Aug. 15 marked the Irish’s first game and after having a scrimmage just a few days earlier, Kleck said she was worried about being over-tired for the season opener. That
Sunday, a day before the game, the idea to use cupping as a way to increase her energy came to Kleck. After trying cupping for the first time, she noticed a difference in her performance immediately. Thanks to this unique form of therapy, Kleck said she was able to bounce back and regain her energy faster. Even though keeping the cups on for about five minutes hurt a bit, the price of momentary pain and some purple circles was well worth it for Kleck. No direct medical evidence As far as its implications for athletes, school nurse Mrs. Susan Mourouzis said, “I think that medical research doesn’t necessarily support that the health benefits are scientifically proven, but this doesn’t mean that someone won’t find it helpful. I have
certainly seen this in some of the teenagers I know who have tried alternative therapies including cupping that have worked for them. It’s like any other treatment someone might try -- some things work for some but not for others. “As long as cupping is done by a trained practitioner, it is an option for some people. It’s about a person’s own experience with the ailment and the effects of their chosen treatment.” Cupping, a practice born thousands of years ago, has come into its own spotlight that has raised a lot of questions, due in large part to the Summer Olympics. But it seems that even if science has not proven the method to be 100 percent legitimate, it is a form of alternative medicine that helps many different people with different needs.
“I think that medical research doesn’t necessarily support that the health benefits are scientifically proven, but this doesn’t mean that someone won’t find it helpful. I have certainly seen this in some of the teenagers I know who have tried alternative therapies including cupping that have worked for them.”
School nurse Mrs. Susan Mourouzis