Sports Cupping - How it's Beneficial



Sports massage is important for any athlete. Whether injured or not, massage has both physical and psychological benefits that are necessary for the health and well being of the athlete. Though there have been traditional methods of massage for athletes, therapists are more accepting of alternative types of methods. One of these alternative massage therapy methods is an ancient type of massage which is used as a way to increase the effectiveness. It's called massage cupping therapy or in this case sports cupping.

Sports cupping will help maintain your strength and flexibility and allow your body to heal in ways you may not even know you needed. During the massage tension will be released which triggers many other actions in the body as well. When your muscles relax, your body releases endorphins and creates a relaxing warmness throughout. Pressure is relieved and anxiety will also be relieved through massage. Massage has been proven to help with overall well being since it helps in the areas of relaxation, pain management, and healing. Athletes worldwide are turning to cupping massage to give their body the necessary care after training, competitions, and games.

Massage is also beneficial because it brings the nutrients back to the muscles and tissues that need to be repaired. Lactic acid will be removed by the suctioning action and will help the muscles get the oxygen needed to maintain their healthy. Since tissues get tight and harden and are often difficult to stretch out, the sports cupping will help stretch out the muscles to release tension that has built up in that area and restore flexibility which will help guard you against future injury.

Sports cupping differs from other types of massage therapy. The goal of healing, relaxation, and rejuvenation is still the same but the method is completely different. This therapy uses a glass cup as the means of delivering the massage. The cup is made out of a thick glass and is placed on the body in the painful area or any area that needs to be massaged. An airtight seal is created so that the blood is pulled up into this specific area. With increased blood flow here, healing can begin to take place. If other types of massage haven't worked for you, cupping is the answer. It's been used since ancient times and has proven itself as a method that will produce serious results.

TAGGED WITH: cupping, fitness, Ithaca, Massage, Sports

A Brief Overview

When it Started- Cupping has been said to have been around for thousands of years. This ancient practice used largely by the chinese became widely used throughout the world in the 1800's.  

What it has been used for - Cupping has been used for a variety of pain, illness, and disease. Some of these ailments include pain, fever, menstruation problems, vertigo, decrease in appetite, and other areas of sickness in which healing was needed.  

How massage cupping therapy works - According to the Chinese, massage cupping therapy works by dispelling blood and chi that have been blocked or stagnant. Chi is known as the life force that is in all living beings. Most cultures believe in a type of energy or life force that drives us all, so whatever you may call it, massage cupping helps to distribute that throughout your body and work toward healing and balance.

Evolving methods - Methods used in massage cupping therapy have changed here and there depending on culture and experience. Even the cups used have changed. In ancient times some of the first cups used were animal horns and bamboo. Today glass cups are used.

How it suctions - A glass cup is applied to the skin and then the air is sucked out of the cup (sometimes the cup is heated) and the pressure inside the cup is reduced. There is usually a small hand pumped attached to the cup which enables the therapist to suction out the air. The skin and layer of superficial muscle are vacuumed into the cup and held there for around fifteen to twenty minutes during the massage cupping therapy. There will be some bruising around the area where the rim of the cup was held.

How it moves - Since the cupping is done throughout the body and doesn't just stay stationary, massage oil is used to help the glass glide around on the skin. It's especially useful and therapeutic to use warming oil since this also gives the skin an all over warm, relaxed feel. There are different techniques that are used within cupping therapy.

Used in conjunction with massage therapy, physical therapy, or other types of massage, massage cupping therapy will relax you to the very core of your body. The deep, warm glow that circulates throughout your body will relieve the stresses you had when you arrived and you'll leave feeling invigorated and rejuvenated.

TAGGED WITH: alternative medicine, Ithaca Commons, Massage, Massage cupping