It began with A List celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, the Beckham's and now it seems like this year's Olympics athletes have seen the appeal. Several Team USA Olympians have been pictured with small, circular marks on their backs and shoulders, indicating that they subscribe to the healing technique called cupping/wet cupping/hijama. The process dates back to Egyptian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and European cultures and works by applying cups to the skin along the meridians of the body, creating suction as a way of stimulating the flow of energy, toxins and In these athletes case excess uric acid. Some practitioners use glass cups which are safe if sterilised correctly and others use plastic one use disposable cups, as these prevent cross contamination.. Michael Phelps added: 'Our bodies are going to hurt after doing this for so long. It's the best thing that I've ever had. 'It has saved me from a lot of pain.' Many of his fellow team mates do the same, with some even carrying it out themselves, by applying the cups and creating suction with a pump. Team captain Chris Brooks said: 'You're like, 'OK, I'm sore here. Throw a cup on, and your roommate will help you or you can do it yourself.' Meanwhile, former U.S. Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin has also shown off her own cupping bruises on her Instagram page. Team USA gymnast Alex Naddour is also happy to go public and posted an Instagram picture of himself with a cupping mark clearly in view. Naddour told that he found cupping 'provides relief from the soreness and pounding that come from gymnastics' 'That's been the secret that I have had through this year that keeps me healthy,' Naddour said. 'It's been better than any money I've spent on anything else.' |
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