Cupping in Kingston WA

Those aren’t hickeys you see.

While it may look painful, athletes like Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, are sporting these circular “bruises.” Those dark red circles you see on our Olympic athletes are actually a form of natural medicine! So, what are they?
Not an athlete? You should still read on about cupping! Spoiler alert, it can be beneficial for a wide range of symptoms.

Since the alleged doping scandal from the Russian team, athletes have been searching for natural ways to alleviate pain, relieve stress and pressure on joints, and boost recovery time. Athletes like Phelps can have up to 4 events in one day, which can be exhausting.

So, how can athletes recover so quickly without harmful drugs?

Olympians have often turned to the treatment choice of cupping. Cupping in Kingston WA is a treatment widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine*. Cups are placed on the surface of the skin using suction. Most cups are made of glass or hard plastic and can be adjusted to different levels of pressure. This technique encourages blood flow to the local area promoting a rapid recovery time from something like Olympic training drills .

There are several different forms of cupping in Kingston WA.

Dry cupping (which can be seen on athletes Instagrams like Phelps and gymnast Alex Naddour) is usually just suction cups applied to the skin with a liniment or oil lubricant. Wet cupping is a combination of suction and controlled bleeding (yes, blood!). During either form of cupping, the blood vessels expand causing the skin to rise and redden. The cups are left on from 8 to 12 minutes. It’s recommended that the cups be placed on Fleshy parts of the body, like the back, shoulders, and stomach.

The practices of cupping, both wet and dry, are simply a different approach believed to remove harmful toxins from muscles and support elimination of foreign disease from the body. It is also a great alternative treatment for reducing pain and minimizing inflammation. While still considered a form of Chinese Medicine, cupping was first introduced with the ancient Egyptians in 1500 BC.

When I had it done, at first the areas cupped felt tight. After a short while, the tightness  subsided creating a soothing blanket sensation.  I felt relaxed, comfortable and felt release of pressure on my low back. Many patients report that they can completely relax and even fall sleep during this treatment.

At Foundation Chiropractic, we treat patients with cupping.

Sean Guinan, LAc, Foundation Chiropractic's acupuncturist, often performs this specific treatment for his patients as part of his/her existing treatment plans. Our massage therapists use a different and lighter form of cupping to release tension from sore or tight muscles.

“In China, cupping is used primarily to treat respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, and congestion; arthritis; gastrointestinal disorders; and certain types of pain. Some practitioners also use cupping to treat depression and reduce swelling.” *

Olympic Athletes, who are in tip-top shape, use cupping to remain in the best form they can. Although it may seem like a fad, cupping has been around for thousands of years. Cupping is regarded as relatively safe and is a great consideration for athletes and non athletes alike!

To schedule your appointment for cupping, call today! Foundation Chiropractic at (360) 297-0037.

*http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/abc/cupping.php