Here's what you should you know about massage cupping - WAAY

[massage]

If you have been following the Olympics you may have noticed those dark, red circles on some of the athletes' bodies.

While, it may look scary, it is actually an ancient Chinese massage technique called 'cupping.'

Bob Mathis was on the fence about trying massage cupping, but after a restless night due to an aching pain in his arm, he decided to give it a try. "I couldn't even lift it up over my head without shooting pain," he said.

Marsha Mathis is a licensed massage therapist in Huntsville who has dealt with several clients like Bob, who want the benefits of a deep tissue massage without the pain. Her solution is massage cupping.

The cups are put on the body wherever there is any pain or injury and is used to pull out toxins. "Those round spots are the pooling and pulling up of the stagnated blood. It releases the Chi to allow things to flow more properly," said Marsha.

Marsha lets each cup sit on the skin for 2-5 minutes and that is long enough for Bob who is already seeing results. "I still feel a little pain, but its nothing like it was."

A small 2011 study found that it provided some pain relief, but researchers say the results were not conclusive.

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