Michael Phelps News: Olympic Winning Swimmer Found with Cupping Marks During Rio 2016 Competition; Does Cupping Therapy Work?
Michael Phelps Had Cupping Marks All Over in Rio 2016 Olympics
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps was seen with multiple cupping marks during the swimming competition at Rio 2016.
Cupping therapy is actually an alternative but traditional Chinese medical practice that uses cups on the skin to create suction. It is believed to help get rid of toxins and promote better circulation. The tell-tale circle bruises on Phelps' skin are a sign that he underwent cupping therapy.
Michael Phelps and Cupping Therapy
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Michael Phelps isn't the first and certainly not the last athlete to join the increasing cupping therapy trend among celebrities. According to Huffington Post, Phelps uses cupping therapy to "relieve the stress in his muscles." The athlete was even seen undergoing the therapy during a live coverage of the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Michael Phelps Winning Olympic Winning Streak
Since Tuesday, Phelps has secured his 25th Olympic medal at Rio 2016. He won various medals in gold and silvers from the different swimming categories, NPR notes. Some of the most talked about topics for the swimmer is his winning streaks and his cupping therapy marks that were visible during the Games.
What are Cupping Therapy Benefits and Is it Effective?
For some, cupping therapy may be a traditional Chinese practice but many still claim that it yields them many benefits. In cupping therapy, practitioners may use glass, bamboo or earthenware as the cups. The goal is to get rid of all the air inside the cup in order to create suction.
Traditionally, fire is used but in more modern practices, there is a special machine used for it. The cup is left on the skin for 5 to 10 minutes. Supporters of cupping therapy believe that it can help relieve varicose veins, depression, anxiety, anemia, arthritis, skin problems, asthma, hypertension and many more.
The benefits of cupping therapy are not known and many people are skeptical about its effects, WebMD points out. The website even cited that the American Cancer Society is doubtful of its ability to cure cancer and other conditions and testimonies to the healing powers of the therapy are not scientific but rather taken accounts of a few people.
Whether or not cupping therapy is effective is dependent on the perspective of those who would want to go through with it.
Do you believe that Michael Phelps' performance was enhanced through his cupping therapy? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
