Have you ever thought about cupping and how it can benefit the body? What do those red circles mean? Does it hurt?
Kerry Boyle L.Ac. appeared on Burlington’s WCAX on August 11, 2016 to discuss this manual therapy.
BURLINGTON, Vt. –
Michael Phelps is killing it in Rio. The 31-year old Olympian has won three golds — upping his lifetime Olympic medal count to 25.
Thursday he competes for gold again in the 200-meter individual medley. Because he’s such a star, anything Phelps does gets noticed… especially when he shows up to compete with red circular bruises all over his body.
Turns out, those bruise are remnants of cupping — an ancient therapy that’s been around for thousands of years and supposedly helps improve circulation and reduces pain.
Kerry Boyle joined us live to educate us on this healing technique. She practices at Integrative Acupuncture in Montpelier and Williston.
It may sound strange, but practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have healed people with this method since 300AD (3). According to Dr. Kaleem Ullah, secretary of the British Cupping Society, “It is an ancient medical treatment that relies upon creating a local suction to mobilize blood flow in order to promote healing” (2). This treatment can provide relief for migraines, muscular tension, respiratory diseases, digestive diseases, and chronic pain, among other conditions.
- Ullah, Kaleem, Ph.D. British Cupping Society, “A Brief Overview of Cupping Therapy.” Last modified May 15, 2011. Accessed February 3, 2014. http://www.britishcuppingsociety.org/
3. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, “The Many Benefits of Chinese Cupping.” Last modified June 17, 2009. Accessed February 3, 2014. http://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-news/articles/677-the-many-benefits-of-chinese-cupping.html.
For more information, visit www.acupunctureinvermont.com
