Grand Canyon University Athletics
Lopes student-athletes familiar with cupping
8/11/2016 10:07:00 AM | Sports Medicine
PHOENIX – With much of the world following the Rio Olympics, the ancient practice of cupping has been in the news across all platforms. It is nothing new on the Grand Canyon campus as many student-athletes have had the cupping treatment from the certified Sports Medicine staff members.
Cupping is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that has been around for over 2,000 years, used for performance improvement and healing. While cupping has been around, it was recently in the national news as Michael Phelps was sporting the red marks around his shoulder in his first Rio event, the men's 4X100 freestyle relay.
By creating suction and negative pressure, cupping releases rigid soft tissue, drains excess fluids and toxins, loosens adhesions, lifts connective tissue, and brings blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles. Myofascial release is direct, and correct application addresses a myriad of debilitating and stubborn conditions. Restructuring of the myofascial bands are possible with cumulative treatments, and there in no form of lymphatic stimulation and drainage that even approached the efficacy and speed that suction can achieve.
The red circles on the skin are the direct result from suction. These discolorations are not bruises, but stagnation in swelling in the area involving the coagulation of sticky proteins. These elements are a sign of poor circulation that usually results in pain, dysfunction and chronic conditions. Cupping can relieve pain when combined with other therapies.
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is the only national certifying body in the US, and all certified acupuncturists can practice cupping. This being said, it should not be done at home by someone without experience. Currently, seven of our nine Sports Medicine staff have Cupping Therapy Certificates.
Lopes student-athletes see the numerous benefits of cupping including increased range of motion, decreased pain and soreness, and faster recovery from injury. Geordie Hackett, the Director of Sports Medicine, believes that mixing traditional medicine with modern medicine creates the best results. "Why should we constantly push on tissue, potentially causing damage, when you can create the same if not better results with negative pressure." GCU's medical staff are always on top of the current trends when treating sports injuries and offer a high standard of care for our student-athletes.
Cupping is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that has been around for over 2,000 years, used for performance improvement and healing. While cupping has been around, it was recently in the national news as Michael Phelps was sporting the red marks around his shoulder in his first Rio event, the men's 4X100 freestyle relay.
By creating suction and negative pressure, cupping releases rigid soft tissue, drains excess fluids and toxins, loosens adhesions, lifts connective tissue, and brings blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles. Myofascial release is direct, and correct application addresses a myriad of debilitating and stubborn conditions. Restructuring of the myofascial bands are possible with cumulative treatments, and there in no form of lymphatic stimulation and drainage that even approached the efficacy and speed that suction can achieve.
The red circles on the skin are the direct result from suction. These discolorations are not bruises, but stagnation in swelling in the area involving the coagulation of sticky proteins. These elements are a sign of poor circulation that usually results in pain, dysfunction and chronic conditions. Cupping can relieve pain when combined with other therapies.
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is the only national certifying body in the US, and all certified acupuncturists can practice cupping. This being said, it should not be done at home by someone without experience. Currently, seven of our nine Sports Medicine staff have Cupping Therapy Certificates.
Lopes student-athletes see the numerous benefits of cupping including increased range of motion, decreased pain and soreness, and faster recovery from injury. Geordie Hackett, the Director of Sports Medicine, believes that mixing traditional medicine with modern medicine creates the best results. "Why should we constantly push on tissue, potentially causing damage, when you can create the same if not better results with negative pressure." GCU's medical staff are always on top of the current trends when treating sports injuries and offer a high standard of care for our student-athletes.
Kendra Potts Post Match Press Conference | GCU vs NAU 9.7.25
Monday, September 08
"Your Life Arizona" Featuring Vice President of Athletics Jamie Boggs
Friday, September 05
Kaleb Smith | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04
Dusty Stromer | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04