cupping therapy

If you were watching Michael Phelps win his 19th gold medal on Sunday, you probably noticed that he had big red circles on his back and shoulders🤔🤔. These big red circles are caused from cupping therapy. Many athletes at the Rio Olympics are using this type of therapy, including twelve-time Olympic medalist, Natalie Coughlin. 🙌🏾✅Cupping therapy is a technique that involves suction cups and has been practiced for thousands of years in South Asia. There is a variety of ways cupping therapy can be performed, however, the general technique  involves glass cups which are placed onto the desired area and then, with a pump, (or other more traditional methods) the air is suctioned out. ⏰🔥This creates the red, swollen welts, as seen on Phelps. The therapy is believed to mobilize blood flow to the skin, loosen muscles and create a mild immune response. 📚👌🏾There is very limited research on cupping therapy and one should be wary that cupping therapy alone has not been scientifically proven of any benefits. 📚🔜 What are your thoughts?🤔🤔 Let us know! .