Why Michael Phelps Loved Cupping Therapy: The Secret Behind the Success

By Jayson Panganiban June 20, 2024 17:37

Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images

Prolific Olympic Swimmer, Michael Phelps, whose record-breaking swims were second only to the odd circular marks etched into his body as a result of cupping therapy. In this post, we will look into why Phelps keeps cupping therapy in the spotlight today, what exactly is it for, how it affects health, and of course; his career.

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Who is Michael Phelps?

Michael Phelps is a former competitive swimmer and the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time, born on June 30, 1985. Over an illustrious career that has spanned multiple Olympic Games, Phelps assembled a record 23 gold medals, marking himself as an all-time giant in sport and especially the world of swimming.

The Phenomenon of Cupping

Cupping therapy, which dates back thousands of years to traditional Chinese medicine, is the practice of using special cups on your skin to create suction. When it comes to healing and muscle recovery, people believe this helps them by combining the process of elevating your body parts with a degree of health benefits like pain relief blood circulation improvement, and muscle tension reduction.

Phelps and Cupping Marks

Those marks led to an increased global interest in Phelps' cupping therapy and, therefore his performance as an athlete. The dark round marks you see as circular where cupping was done are due to suction cups that clamp onto your skin. Such marks are an endorsement of the deep level of muscle-recovery benefits owed to cupping by Phelps and other world-class competitors.

The Purpose and Benefits

Phelps and other athletes started using the technique for muscle recovery, and to help release tightness in the muscles. The treatment, it is said, increases blood flow in particular parts helps cells renew, and lessens the intensity of pain. Numerous athletes, Phelps included, have reported immediate relief from cupping, with a handful saying they noticed a huge decrease in pain right after the treatment.
Impact on Phelps' Career
A tool for physical wellness and recovery Cupping therapy was the factor added to Phelps's career for his health and performance increased. Phelps was introduced to cupping, and the rest is history - this technique helped him stay in top shape so that he could do what he did best: dominate in the pool.

The Science Behind Cupping

Although there is some scientific research backing the benefits of cupping, it is still quite inconclusive and controversial. Although a few studies have suggested that cupping helps manage pain and improve physical function, others have questioned the efficacy of cupping.

In the End

Elite athletes cupping is nothing new in the world of Chinese medicine, but it sure has found its way into the athletic arena following Michael Phelps' very intense and very therapeutic treatment of this high-level therapy. Engraved in the logo of those round and dark red marks on Phelps' body, cupping symbolized his absolute commitment to being the most healthy version of himself so he could compete at the top of his competition. With the growing popularity of cupping therapy among athletes, its potential role in sports performance continues to be a question mark causing both intrigue and discussion.
So, to sum up, Michael Phelps and his cupping therapy represent the changing face of athlete recovery and performance enhancement, demonstrating that today it takes outside-the-box thinking for athletes to open to anything in the name of excellence.