It can be challenging for athletes to maintain healthy muscles. With intense training and competition, athletes are often pushing their bodies to the limit and are at risk of overworking and straining their muscles. This can lead to fatigue, soreness, and potential injury. Despite the difficulty of keeping their muscles healthy, there are certain steps athletes can take to ensure they remain in top physical condition. While athletes are scrambling to become faster, stronger, and increase their performance, the technique cupping has become more and more prevalent as a strong tool for performance and recovery enhancing.
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. This suction is believed to help improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and is gaining popularity in the western world as an alternative to more traditional treatments. Cupping therapy can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including muscle pain, poor circulation, headaches, and anxiety. In this blog, we will explore the benefits of cupping therapy and how it can help promote overall health and wellbeing.
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. This suction is believed to help improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and is gaining popularity in the western world as an alternative to more traditional treatments. Cupping therapy can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including muscle pain, poor circulation, headaches, and anxiety. In this blog, we will explore the benefits of cupping therapy and how it can help promote overall health and wellbeing.
Cupping in Sports
Professional athletes use cupping for recovery due to its ability to promote blood circulation and reduce inflammation. The suction created by the cups during the cupping process can help to loosen tight muscles, reduce pain, and improve range of motion. Additionally, the increased blood flow to the area can help to speed up the healing process and reduce recovery time, allowing athletes to get back on the field or court faster. Cupping can also help to reduce fatigue and improve overall athletic performance.
Let's take a look at some prominent professional athletes who attributed cupping to their success. But first, let's explore the most common question people have about cupping...
Let's take a look at some prominent professional athletes who attributed cupping to their success. But first, let's explore the most common question people have about cupping...
What are those "bruises?"

We asked our expert massage therapist, Amy Delzingaro, what the "bruises" are.
Click here to view Amy's Profile and the DSMC Team.
"It is NOT a bruise. The suction or negative pressure caused by cupping brings old debris trapped in the tissue to the surface. There is no trauma or blunt force, so it is different than a bruise. Depending on what is going on with the tissue under the skin, discoloration is highly likely but individuals who have been cupped will tell you that they cannot feel these marks and often forget they are there."
Click here to read more about cupping marks on the body.
Now, let's look at some star athletes who have attributed cupping to their success.
Click here to view Amy's Profile and the DSMC Team.
"It is NOT a bruise. The suction or negative pressure caused by cupping brings old debris trapped in the tissue to the surface. There is no trauma or blunt force, so it is different than a bruise. Depending on what is going on with the tissue under the skin, discoloration is highly likely but individuals who have been cupped will tell you that they cannot feel these marks and often forget they are there."
Click here to read more about cupping marks on the body.
Now, let's look at some star athletes who have attributed cupping to their success.
Jarvis Landry, NFL Football
|
Jarvis Landry is an NFL wide receiver, currently playing for the New Orleans Saints. He was drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins and has been selected for the Pro Bowl three times. He has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL since entering the league and is known for his crisp route running, reliable hands, and outstanding performance in the clutch.
In this tweet Landry is using cupping to help him recover from one of his first practices in Louisiana during the 2021 offseason practice. This therapy helps to improve circulation and reduce inflammation, which can help athletes recover more quickly and effectively from practice. Landry has been a vocal advocate for cupping and credits it for helping him to stay at the top of his game. |
Conor McGregor, Mixed Martial Arts UFC
|
Conor McGregor is an Irish professional mixed martial artist and boxer. He is the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight and lightweight champion. As of April 2021, he is #7 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. He has also competed in the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC), where he was the CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight Champion. McGregor is known for his aggressive fighting style, unorthodox stance, and trash talking techniques. He is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, and his net worth is estimated to be around $120 million.
Mixed Marital Arts (MMA) is widely considered to be one of the most physically exhausting sports in the world- making recovery extremely important. |
Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimming
|
Michael Phelps is an American swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals. He is a world record holder in multiple events and has won eight gold medals in a single Olympic Games. He is known for his strong work ethic and dedication to the sport of swimming, which has earned him numerous awards and honors.
In this tweet you can see cupping marks on Phelps' shoulders, trapezoids, and neck. Cupping in these areas are extremely important for Phelps' blood flow because of the type of swimming he engages in. |
Where to Try Cupping
If you're looking for a new way to reduce pain and improve your overall health, then cupping at Doylestown Sports Medicine Center may be the answer for you!
At Doylestown Sports Medicine Center, our team can provide you with an individualized cupping / massage plan that is tailored to your specific needs. Our certified professionals can help you get the most out of your cupping treatment and help you achieve the results you desire. Don't wait any longer to get the relief you deserve. Try cupping at Doylestown Sports Medicine Center today and see the difference it can make in your life!
Visit www.dsportsmed.com/massage or give us a call at (215) 348-0666 to schedule your cupping appointment today!
P.S. If you’d like some easy, actionable tips you can use now to start easing your knee pain, click here to download our free massage guide: www.dsportsmed.com/massage
More Health & Wellness Resources
Read Our Blog – 5 Ways to Feel Great (And Steer Clear from Colds) This Fall
Read Our Blog – How to Improve Your Posture for a Healthy Back
Read Our Blog – 10 Simple Ways to Lower the Risk of Falls at Home
At Doylestown Sports Medicine Center, our team can provide you with an individualized cupping / massage plan that is tailored to your specific needs. Our certified professionals can help you get the most out of your cupping treatment and help you achieve the results you desire. Don't wait any longer to get the relief you deserve. Try cupping at Doylestown Sports Medicine Center today and see the difference it can make in your life!
Visit www.dsportsmed.com/massage or give us a call at (215) 348-0666 to schedule your cupping appointment today!
P.S. If you’d like some easy, actionable tips you can use now to start easing your knee pain, click here to download our free massage guide: www.dsportsmed.com/massage
More Health & Wellness Resources
Read Our Blog – 5 Ways to Feel Great (And Steer Clear from Colds) This Fall
Read Our Blog – How to Improve Your Posture for a Healthy Back
Read Our Blog – 10 Simple Ways to Lower the Risk of Falls at Home